Micah Richards charged with improper conduct

Micah Richards has been charged with improper
conduct after a clash following Aston Villa's loss to
Swansea City.

Aston Villa defender Micah Richards has been hit with an
improper conduct charge by the Football Association.

Tempers flared between Richards and Swansea City defender
Federico Fernandez towards the end of the first half of
Saturday's game at Villa Park, with Fernandez seen pushing his
head towards the former Manchester City man.

While the FA have determined that neither player should face
violent conduct charges over that incident, they are set to
punish Richards over an altercation which took place in the
tunnel following Villa's 2-1 defeat.

"Aston Villa's Micah Richards has been charged with improper
conduct following an incident which occurred in the tunnel at the
end of the game against Swansea City on Saturday [24 October
2015]," read an FA statement.

"He has until 6pm on Thursday [29 October 2015] to reply.

"The FA referred a coming together involving Richards and
Swansea's Federico Fernandez in the 30th minute which was
not seen by the match officials but caught on video to the three
former elite referee panel.

"On this occasion, the panel did not find that either player had
committed an act of violent conduct, therefore, no further action
will be taken."

Tim Sherwood, who was sacked as Villa manager after the
defeat, believes Fernandez was lucky not to receive a red card.

"The ref has to send him [Fernandez] off," he said
afterwards. "He will probably get done but it doesn't help us out.

"He stuck his head into Micah."

Richards has made 11 appearances for Villa in all competitions
so far this season.