Joe Kinnear has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association after describing referee Martin Atkinson as a "Mickey Mouse" official. FA disciplinary chiefs wrote to the Newcastle chief after the 2-1 defeat earlier this month to ask him to explain his comments.

An FA spokesman said: "Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear has been charged with improper conduct.

"The charge relates to comments made about referee Martin Atkinson in media interviews following Newcastle's match against Fulham on November 9.

"Kinnear has until December 12 to respond to the charge."