Football: Man United star faces violent conduct charge after elbowing Winston Reid

Winston Reid remonstrates with Bastian Schweinsteiger after the incident. Photo / Getty

Bastian Schweinsteiger has been charged with violent conduct by the FA over his clash with Winston Reid during Manchester United's draw against West Ham.

The matter was referred to a panel of three former elite referees who each reviewed the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they considered it a sending-off offence.

For an FA charge to follow the decision by the panel must be unanimous.The player has until 12 noon on Thursday 10 December 2015 to reply to the charge.

The incident happened just before half-time when Schweinsteiger appeared to thrust his forearm into Reid's face as they jostled at a corner. Referee Mark Clattenburg spoke to both player but took no further action.

However, after establishing that Clattenburg did not see the incident, the FA were able to charge Schweinsteiger on Monday.

Reid later claimed that the Germany star should have been sent off, saying: 'It was a red card. He knows what he's done - he's elbowed me in the face. The referee couldn't see it, so we move on.'

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic claimed that it was 'a big-time red card', but accepted that Clattenburg was unsighted.

'It was a moment of madness and he deserved to be sent off, but it's impossible for the ref to see everything,' said Bilic. 'No matter how many referees you have, sometimes they can't see.

'I'm sure if he did see it, it would have been a straight red. Of course we are disappointed but it happens. He just didn't see it.

'I saw it on the replays at half-time. It was a red, a big-time red. I understand the decision but it was a crucial moment. I can't blame the referee.'

United boss Louis van Gaal claimed that he too did not see the incident, but believe there were other situations where West Ham players could have been punished.

He said: 'Maybe you saw other things that happened when (Anthony) Martial was falling down and that kind of questions. You can also ask that. These questions I think are stupid. I am sitting on the bench in a minor position as you.

'I cannot judge. I cannot say anything. I have to see the video images and I haven't seen that yet. I can't say anything about that. But when you ask about that situation you have to ask about a lot of other situations.'

- Daily Mail