LONDON, May 8 (Reuters) - Manchester City defender Michael Ball has admitted an FA charge of violent conduct after stamping on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday's derby.
Ball and Fulham's Michael Brown were both charged with
violent conduct after separate incidents in last weekend's
Premier League matches.
Ball stamped on Ronaldo as the Portugal winger lay on the
pitch following a challenge in Saturday's game at the City of
Manchester Stadium.
The incident was missed by the referee but caught by
television cameras. United won the game 1-0 with a Ronaldo
penalty - awarded after a foul by Ball on the United winger.
'I deeply regret what I did and have accepted the FA's
charge without hesitation. I have also sent a personal apology
to Cristiano,' Ball told City's website.
'My action should not be seen on a football pitch and I know
we have a responsibility at Premier League level to set a good
example to the whole football community.'
Brown's charge follows an alleged head-butt on Liverpool's
Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso during Fulham's 1-0 win at Craven
Cottage on Saturday.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said after the game: 'It's
clear for everybody to see this incident and how the officials
didn't see it is unbelievable.'
The FA said in a statement the two players had until 1700
GMT on Wednesday to respond to the charges 'which carry an
automatic three-match suspension and the cases will be heard by
a Disciplinary Commission on Thursday.'
