Owen in hot water over 'punch' at Arsenal

Michael Owen faces an anxious wait to discover if he is to be punished for throwing a punch during Stoke City's 1-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday.

The former England forward, 33, appeared to strike Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta on the back after reacting angrily to a full-blooded challenge by the Spanish midfielder.

Referee Chris Foy awarded a free kick to Arsenal but did not punish Owen with either a yellow or red card, which means retrospective action by the Football Association is possible.

Owen, who has been capped 89 times for England during a stellar career with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, had come on as a late substitute for the Potters.

"Arteta's challenge was a poor challenge but Michael shouldn't do that," admitted his manager, Tony Pulis.

"That should be left to the referee.

"We will see what they say. Obviously I'm going to be biased because this is my football club, my team. If Michael has done what they say he has done, then they will look at it."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/04/2013 page23)