WEST HAM will not have to face the wrath of the Football Association until the new year. Both the Hammers and Millwall were hit with a series of charges following their Carling Cup showdown at Upton Park back in August. But after being given extra time to

WEST HAM will not have to face the wrath of the Football Association until the new year.

Both the Hammers and Millwall were hit with a series of charges following their Carling Cup showdown at Upton Park back in August.

But after being given extra time to answer the offences, the hearing will not now be scheduled until sometime in January.

With West Ham fully co-operating with the ongoing police investigation into the events of that night, the club will be hoping that, as well as the length of time between the charge and the hearing, will lead to a more considered judgement.

Even so, the Hammers still face a heavy fine and the possibility of having to play a game behind closed doors, though the club have constantly argued that they carried out every requirement laid down by the Metropolitan Police on the day of the match.