Robert Snodgrass launched into a 10-word, x-rated verbal volley to the UK anti-doping official who was at the West Ham training ground, according to the Times.
The newspaper claim the Hammers midfielder mocked the official for his regular appearances at the club in what he has claimed was just an exchange of banter.
According to the Times, Snodgrass allegedly asked him, “Haven’t you got anything better to do, you f*****g c***?”
The Scotland international was charged by the FA on Monday, as confirmed on their website, and has until 18 March to respond.
OPINION
Snodgrass may be “stunned” at the FA’s decision to charge him, and what he will no doubt feel is the anti-doping official taking himself too seriously. But, it was a daft thing to say, even if he meant it humorously and not in an aggressive way. The midfielder is paying the price for treating the official like a teammate and another member of the playing squad. That was crass, stupid and disrespectful. If he is banned for his conduct, Snodgrass only has himself to blame. Aged 31, he should know far better than swearing at an independent official simply doing his job, even if that person might deserve to be up in the dock himself for a sense of humour failure. Footballers might shout, swear and scream at opponents and even match officials on the pitch, but they could do with taking a leaf out of rugby’s book and treating them with far greater respect.