Yohan Cabaye charged by FA

As the title suggests, our French International midfielder has been charged by the Football Association with violent conduct following his kick at Adam El-Abd during our dismal loss to Brighton at the weekend.

As if we had not had a bad enough week already, we now face the prospect of losing a key midfielder for three games, more if he appeals and loses. He has until 6pm today to respond.

I feel pleading 'not guilty' will not work and we will have to do without him. El-Abd clearly had a stud puncture above his top lip and the slowed down footage does not look good.

Cabaye was obviously frustrated by the performance of his teammates and himself, then when he was strongly tackled by the burly Brighton defender, Cabaye clearly kicked out with intent at El-Abd as both players fell to the floor. There is no way his actions can be described as an accident. You can see the anger on his face as he does it!

Now then, Yohan Cabaye is supposed to be one of our role models. He began his Newcastle career saying all the right things and then proceeded to 'walk the walk' - he impressed everybody.

Now we are hearing he has taken to tw@tter and finds himself charged with violent conduct. Has he suddenly decided he wants to be Joey Barton?! Personally, I think this is a lapse in judgement and the emotions got the better of him during a difficult game following an equally poor second half against Fulham. He is a good lad, but make no mistake - he has really messed up here.

After the Mario Balotelli incident and subsequent four game ban dished out last week, every player should have sat up and taken notice. The FA are looking to stamp down on this kind of thing and will no doubt hand out equally lengthly bans to players showing similar behaviour in order to show consistency in their disciplinary process. Now, being a generally level headed good professional Yohan Cabaye really should have known better.

He has let himself, his teammates, his manager and the fans down. If I was Alan Pardew, I'd be considering handing the lad a fine for being so stupid if this lengthly ban comes about. We are entering a crucial period in out fixture list and have a weak enough squad as it is.

I know Cabaye will learn from this, but he really should have known better and could cost us in the coming games. What do you readers think?