THE FA could hire a LIP READER to help them work out what was said in the spat between Jordan Henderson and Gabriel Magalhaes.
The Liverpool captain and Arsenal centre-back clashed during Sunday’s Premier League game at the Emirates after Thiago fouled Gabriel Jesus.
Referee Michael Oliver halted the resumption of play for Arsenal’s winning penalty to speak to managers Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp on the touchline.
The official informed both bosses he would be formally reporting the allegations made to him on the pitch.
That followed a flare-up between Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson and Gabriel.
And now it is being reported by Sky Sports that the FA is considering using the services of a specialist speech expert to figure out exactly what was said and get to the bottom of the row.
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However, SunSport understands they would only explore that avenue if the accounts from the two players are diametrically opposed.
Plus, of course, lip reading cannot guarantee an exact transcript of the words used.
And should the FA hire a lip reader, the clubs would also be able to recruit their own external professional to provide their own assessment.
The English football chiefs launched an investigation into the altercation after it was included in Oliver’s match report and will then decide if disciplinary action is required.
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They have spoken to the Brazilian defender as part of their probe while it is understood Henderson has voiced his side of events, too.
The FA has so far declined to give any further guidance since confirming it was “aware of an incident that took place” in the game and that, after dialogue with the officials and clubs, it would “review the details of the incident”.
The fact that Oliver included the incident in his report but did not take any action on the field suggests he did not witness any of the allegations put forward.
Therefore, the FA want eye-witness reports before deciding if any action is required.
The FA could also ask PGMOL for the recording from Oliver’s microphone, in case anything of importance was picked up.
Neither Arteta nor Klopp commented on the incident after the Gunners’ dramatic 3-2 win.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
