Less than saintly Prutton hit by double FA charge

Southampton's David Prutton (R) battles Chelsea's Joe Cole. Prutton faces a long ban after being charged with two counts of improper conduct by The Football Association.

Southampton's England Under-21 midfielder David Prutton faces a long ban after being charged with two counts of improper conduct by The Football Association (FA).

The 23-year-old former Nottingham Forest star has been charged with his failure to leave the field promptly during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal, pushing referee Alan Wiley and remonstrating with assistant referee Paul Norman.

The second charge is for using threatening words and/or behaviour to a match official during the match.

Prutton, who has publicly apologised, has until 1700 GMT on Tuesday to respond to the charges.

His case will be heard by a disciplinary commission on Wednesday with a maximum six-match ban hanging over him for his actions following his dismissal for a foul on Robert Pires which was his second booking of the match.

"It's an horrendous situation. I apologise to the referee and linesman, who were only doing their job," said Prutton, who reacted furiously to the red card and had to be restrained by Saints manager Harry Redknapp and other club staff as he tried to get to Norman.

"I've also seen what happened to Pires' leg and I'm sorry for that as well."

Prutton, who had already picked up eight yellow cards prior to the match, also apologised to the spectators, especially the children.

"I apologise for the people who saw it. I know you get lots of kids going to the match now and they don't pay money to see that sort of thing."

Redknapp blasted him for his actions.

"I cannot stand here and defend him, he committed an act of stupidity that cost us dearly.

"We're going to be without him for a long time, there's no doubt," said Redknapp, who added that the whole team had been sickened by his tackle on Pires.