FA call Hughes to account for Clattenburg outburst

Hughes spoke out after Craig Bellamy's dismissal on Saturday (GETTY IMAGES)

The Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been asked by the Football Association to explain his comments after Craig Bellamy's dismissal in the Premier League draw at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.

Bellamy received two yellow cards in the second half of the 3-3 draw, the first for dissent and the second for a supposed dive, although replays suggested the City striker was fouled.

Hughes later claimed that referee Mark Clattenburg had joked that he did not like the Welshman at half-time. "I don't appreciate when the referees coming out for the second half start making comment about who they do or do not like in my team," Hughes said. "They might be having a laugh and a joke. I have to be careful here as we are talking about integrity."

Hughes has taken the stance that now the FA are involved, his best course of action is to keep his counsel on the matter. However, his view has not changed. "What I said on Saturday is still on record and I stand by it," he said. "The FA have asked for my version of events so I can't really discuss the matter any further."

Bellamy will miss tonight's match at Tottenham Hotspur as he serves his one-match ban. The winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has also been ruled out by an ankle injury that has made him a doubt for Saturday's game against Sunderland. However, Nigel de Jong has recovered after contracting swine flu at the end of last week and is expected to feature tonight.

The midfielder Jermaine Jenas is a doubt for Spurs as he is struggling to recover from food poisoning. Harry Redknapp's side will also be without Ledley King (knee), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (wrist and pelvis). Luka Modric, who has not started a game since August, will be on the bench.