West Ham charged despite Noble let-off

Mark Noble: Excited by the direction West Ham are heading

Mark Noble: Excited by the direction West Ham are heading

West Ham have won their appeal to have Mark Noble’s red card against Liverpool rescinded – but the club face a new FA charge of failing to control their players.

Hammers skipper Noble was sent off by referee Kevin Friend in the 78th minute of their 3-0 win at Anfield on Saturday following a challenge on Danny Ings. That was despite Friend blowing his whistle for a previous foul on Noble, who then appeared to win the ball cleanly in a challenge with the Liverpool forward.

The West Ham players surrounded the official after he brandished the red card and this has led to the the new FA charge, which the Hammers have until 6pm on September 7 to respond to.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic said following his side’s win that he was confident the decision to send off Noble would be reversed on appeal.

And the FA has now rescinded the red card shown to Noble following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing and he will not be required to serve the proposed three-match suspension.

The long-serving 28-year-old will therefore be available to face Newcastle United in the club’s next game at Upton Park on Monday September 14.