Fulham call in lawyers over FA rap

Fulham are taking legal advice over the best way to fight a myriad of Football Association disciplinary charges,

The club face the prospect of severe punishment after the FA threw the book at them following Saturday's stormy match against West Bromwich Albion.

It was the second successive game where Chris Coleman's side were at the centre of a refereeing controversy and the governing body are preparing to come down hard on them.

Charges have been brought against the club, Coleman and striker Andy Cole, while West Brom's Neil Clement also faces disciplinary action. Fulham could be hit with a maximum fine of £250,000 after Saturday's referee Mike Dean reported them for harassment. The official said: "It seemed to me that they went purposely, every time I gave a decision, to harass me throughout the game." Fulham were enraged by a first-half penalty decision and had Collins John and Edwin Van Der Sar booked for protesting. Dean sent off Cole and Papa Bouba Diop for violent conduct. Fulham were charged with failing to ensure their players conducted themselves properly.

Coleman's charge of bringing the game into disrepute relates to comments about referee Mark Halsey following the match against Arsenal on 11 September.