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Hull - Hull manager Phil Brown has hit out at the English Football Association after his club were charged with misconduct following last weekend's brawl at Arsenal.
Brown's team and Arsenal were both hit with the FA Charge of failing to control their players after a mass confrontation involving 21 of the 22 players on the field at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The row started after Arsenal's Samir Nasri appeared to tread on the ankle of Hull midfielder Richard Garcia late in the first half.
But Brown, whose side lost 3-0, has defended the reaction of his players and made it clear the club will be contesting the charge.
"There was an incident for some reason, and I can't answer the accusations against Nasri. He decided to light the touchpaper," Brown said.
"It was there for everybody to see. It needed to be dealt with more severely and hasn't been.
"Why we are up for a charge I don't know. I defend the players to the hilt. As far as I am concerned that lad has gone in there with the intent to start a fight, to start a ruck.
"Maybe it was because Arsenal were hitting a brick wall in terms of the way they were playing, I don't know.
"We were doing our job to the best of our ability and maybe that's why they've decided to light the touchpaper, I've no idea.
"For us to come under criticism yet again is absolutely scandalous, and we'll be defending it."
