Todd to contest FA charge

The 30-year-old clashed with Arsenal's Robin van Persie after the striker had scored to seal victory for Arsene Wenger's side.

Todd was on Tuesday charged by the Football Association for violent conduct but the case will now be heard by a disciplinary commission on Thursday after he denied the charge.

A statement on the FA's website: "Blackburn Rovers defender Andy Todd has denied a breach of FA rule E3 for violent conduct."

Van Persie required treatment after the clash with the Rovers skipper. The pair collided just after the Dutchman had curled in Arsenal's third goal - as he turned away to celebrate, van Persie appeared to be hit by Todd's elbow.

Bristol referee Steve Dunn is understood not to have witnessed the incident, and so failed to mention it in his report but Rovers boss Mark Hughes on Tuesday defended his skipper.

Hughes said: "I spoke to Andy immediately after the game and he assured me it was a complete accident.

"I've looked at it again and my view is that I agree with him.

"When they come into contact with one another, as Van Persie turns and wheels away, the ball is not even in the net at that point.

"To say Andy has lashed out and is frustrated because the ball has gone in the back of the net is completely untrue.

"If you look at the video, Andy's focus is entirely on the ball, with Van Persie just colliding into him."

Todd said immediately after the game: "I turned to go back to the centre circle and he ran into my shoulder.

"I don't know what it looks like on television, but all I have done is turn into him.

"I offered my apologies to the other players, but they did not want to know. If that is the attitude they want to take then fair enough."

Todd faces a three-match ban if he is found guilty by FA officials, although Blackburn are on the brink of safety in the Barclays Premiership.[url][/url][url][/url]

Contested but it didnt get resinded!