JASON McATEER has been charged with violent conduct in the incident which led to his dismissal in injury time in last Wednesday's World Cup game in Macedonia.
Along with Mitko Stojkovski, the Macedonian midfield player, McAteer was sent off after first appearing to kick Sakiri Artim in the chest and then becoming embroiled with Stojkovski.
It now emerges that the Italian referee, Alfredo Trentalange, has cited him for one of the more serious offences with the threat of a correspondingly heavier sentence.
Confirming that the referee's report contained accusations of violent conduct, a spokesman at FIFA headquarters said "it was likely that the offence would carry a bigger sanction than usual.
He said that the next meeting of FIFA's disciplinary committee was scheduled for April 29th, just 24 hours before Ireland meet Romania at Bucharest in another important game in the World Cup qualifying series.
Since the Macedonian sending-off carries an automatic one-match ban, the Liverpool player will not be included in Mick McCarthy's squad when he announces his selection in Dublin next week.
In McAteer's favour is the fact that he had never been sent off in a senior game until passions boiled over and he found himself involved in an incident which he would regret within minutes.
"I had no intention of injuring anybody and I resent the allegation that I deliberately kneed the Macedonian player in the groin," McAteer said.
"He was not seriously hurt and the proof of that is that as soon as he got to his feet, he was looking for more trouble. But it goes without saying that I regret ever getting involved."
Stojkovski, whose return to the Macedonian team after missing the game at Lansdowne Road last October made such a difference, cannot expect any favours from the disciplinary committee and apart from their meeting with Iceland at Skopje in June, is likely to miss at least one other game.
Niall Quinn, who ended an absence of almost seven months from English Premiership competition when he replaced Paul Stewart in the closing stages of last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United, plays for Sunderland's reserve team against Port Vale this evening.
Quinn, who has already played one game for the reserves, hopes to be named as one of the substitutes for Sunderland's home game against Liverpool on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa boss Brian Little is to make a new attempt to persuade Republic of Ireland international Gareth Farrelly to sign a new contract at Villa Park.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who made his first appearance of the season against Everton last Saturday, has already turned down a new three-and-a-half year deal after being frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at Villa Park.
But Little hopes he will have a change of heart. He said: "The offer will still be there in the summer because he has a big future. I hope that we can sort something out. He is generally happy at the club and we like him as a player."
However, Farrelly will probably have to make way for Villa captain Andy Townsend for tonight's Premiership game away to Wimbledon. Townsend has served his one-match ban.
