Tigers’ Boyd to appeal over FA spitting allegation

The Tigers have confirmed that Boyd will challenge the charge, which was made after a three-man FA panel reviewed video evidence.

The Scotland international was alleged to have spat towards Hart as the pair angrily confronted each other after Boyd fell under Hart’s challenge in the box.

Hart was booked by referee Lee Mason and as a result he will face no further action.

Boyd is set to receive a three-match ban if he fails to prove his innocence, which could rule him out of the Tigers’ forthcoming Barclays Premier League games against West Brom, West Ham and Stoke. Boyd insisted after his side’s 2-0 defeat that Hart should have been sent off, claiming: “He didn’t nut me but he’s put his head him, so he should have got sent off really.”

Video footage later emerged which appeared to show Boyd spitting in Hart’s direction, but Tigers boss Steve Bruce launched an impassioned defence of his player. Bruce said: “George Boyd would not do that, not a chance – not deliberately, anyway. He is as honest as they come.”

Meanwhile, the campaign group fighting a proposal to change Hull’s name to Hull Tigers fears the Allam family will use a ballot as a vote of confidence in its stewardship.

The club will ask all season pass holders for their views on the proposed name change after it emerged that the Football Association’s membership committee has recommended that the Full Council, which will make the final decision at its meeting on April 9, rejects the club’s application.

Owner Assem Allam has threatened to walk away if he does not get his wish, and the City Till We Die group is concerned about what supporters will be asked to vote on. A spokesman said: “Our campaign has always been about retaining the name ‘Hull City’ and nothing else.

“We are therefore calling on the club to include TWO questions on the ballot form: 1. Do you agree with the proposed name change to “Hull Tigers”? - YES/NO; 2. Do you support the Allam family’s continued ownership of Hull City? - YES/NO.”

Allam says changing the name of the club would open up new marketing opportunities.