Stoke City: Club apologise over Huth incident

by Martin Spinks

STOKE City have publicly apologised on behalf of Robert Huth after the German defender clashed with West Ham's Matthew Upson on Saturday.

The incident was missed by the referee, but TV pictures showed Huth striking Upson across the side of the face as they awaited a fee-kick.

Huth has since been charged by the FA with violent conduct and now looks set to receive a three-match ban on Thursday after Stoke decided against an appeal.

The club's full statement this afternoon reads:

"Stoke City Football Club and Robert Huth accept the FA charge of violent conduct and would like to apologise for the incident at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

"All players were briefed at the beginning of the season about obstructing opponents at set-plays and Robert reacted in frustration at being impeded by Matthew Upson for the second time in the game, stopping him from marking James Tomkins at set-pieces as instructed.

"Robert Huth's actions are totally out of character for a fully committed defender who has only received one red card - for two cautions - in nearly eight years of playing in the Premier League.

"We await the FA verdict on the incident."