Shearer on FA kicking charge

ALAN SHEARER last night found that being England's captain and talisman in World Cup year did not put him above the laws of the Football Association.

The Newcastle United centre-forward was charged with misconduct for allegedly kicking another player in the head.

However, Shearer will not miss any World Cup matches if he is found guilty by an FA commission of the assault on Neil Lennon of Leicester City, eight days ago, nor will the footballer miss the FA Cup final against Arsenal on 16 May.

The decision to charge Shearer was taken by Graham Kelly, the chief executive of the FA, after studying video evidence of the incident. In it Shearer appears to kick Lennon, who is on the ground.

Full story, Sport, page 32