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Cape Town - Watford Striker Troy Deeney could be in hot water for raising his middle fingers while scoring the opening goal against Chelsea in a 4-1 win on Monday night.
The Hornets were awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute after Gerard Deulofeu was brought down by Thibaut Courtois before Deeney stepped up to give his side the lead.
The 29-year-old was jeered by Chelsea fans as he prepared to take the penalty but once he had scored ran off in celebration and made the gesture to the home crowd.
Watford compounded further misery on Antonio Conte with goals from Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra in the final six minutes handing the away side a welcome first win in six games to move six points clear of the relegation zone.
Chelsea, beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth on their last outing, had already been reduced to 10 men by Tiemoue Bakayoko's first-half red card before Troy Deeney's penalty put Watford in front just before the break.
Eden Hazard's brilliant strike eight minutes from time briefly handed the visitors hope, but they remain fourth, just a point ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, with Conte's chances of remaining in charge for the rest of the season under the spotlight.
The FA released a statement after that game, which read: "Although the disciplinary committee was not convinced that the player directed the gesture at the referee, and regardless of whether it was allegedly directed at a team-mate, it did consider such gesture to be offensive and unsporting and therefore it amounted to a violation of article 57 of the Fifa disciplinary code."
@T_Deeney gesture towards Chelsea fans after scoring from the spot. Someone's in trouble @FA pic.twitter.com/XIPIrpn8WW
— Franck Tattaglia (@georgyfrank) February 5, 2018
Asked Troy Deeney about his celebration he said it was a reaction to speculation in the last couple of weeks and his way of saying he is still here... #watford @premierleague #WATCHE
— Michelle Owen (@MichelleOwen7) February 5, 2018
Baden Gillion is Sport24’s soccer journalist on all soccer related news. Follow him on Twitter
