Soccer: Tottenham defender Michael Dawson has denied a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing, according to the Football Association.

The centre-half was charged yesterday and could face an increased ban as Tottenham bid to recover from their worst ever start to a league season.

Dawson was dismissed in stoppage-time of the defeat by Stoke on Sunday and the charge relates to how he reacted when referee Lee Mason showed the red card.

An FA statement said: "Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson has denied a charge of improper conduct and requested a personal hearing."

A regulatory commission will hear the case tomorrow.