Dawson faces FA hearing in improper conduct case

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The Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has denied a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing, the Football Association has announced.

The centre-half was charged on Tuesday and could face an increased ban as Tottenham bid to recover from their worst ever start to a league season.

Dawson was dismissed in stoppage time during the defeat by Stoke on Sunday and the charge relates to how he reacted when referee Lee Mason showed him the red card.

An FA statement said: "Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson has denied a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing." A regulatory commission will hear the case today.

Meanwhile the Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen has criticised Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton for the challenge which he claims almost left him blind.

The Dane had to be substituted during the second half of his side's 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday, after a clash with Hutton left him with blood pouring out of a face wound.

In an ill-tempered game in which the visitors had two players sent off, the Scotland defender was booked for the challenge, but Sorensen is fuming at what he feels was a preventable collision.

"It was a millimetre off me losing my sight," Sorensen said. "I have been sewn up in the eye socket but it is miraculous there's no more damage. We are at a stage where it is not funny any more.

"He could have avoided hitting me. He had no chance to reach the ball but he still threw himself into it, leading with his studs," Sorensen added. "The doctor has done a very good job so my face is not totally destroyed."