Ex-Oldham Athletic midfielder has until 6pm tomorrow to respond to the charge

Leyton Orient’s vice-captain Liam Kelly has been charged by the Football Association for allegedly committing an act of violent conduct during the match with Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old is alleged to have shoved one of Argyle’s ball boys in the 86th minute of the League Two game, which O’s won 3-2.

Plymouth released a statement on their website yesterday, which read: “We have reviewed videos of the incident and we regard any physical or oral assault against our ball boys, or any representative of Argyle, to be utterly unacceptable.

“We have reported the incident to the FA for them to take the appropriate action. We are glad to say that the ball boy, although shocked by the incident, is otherwise okay and we thank the Green Army, on his behalf, for their concern.”

A statement on the O’s club website this afternoon, read: “Leyton Orient’s Liam Kelly has been charged by The FA following the game at Plymouth Argyle on 14 February 2017.

“It is alleged he committed an act of violent conduct in the 86th minute which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video, contrary to Rule E3.

“Furthermore, The FA has submitted a claim that the standard punishment for this alleged offence would be clearly insufficient. The player has until 6pm on 17 February 2017 to respond to the charge.”

Interestingly the video footage of the incident appears to show referee Chris Sarginson in a good position to see exactly what took place.

Sarginson is understood to have spoken to Kelly and the Argle ball boy afterwards too, but O’s vice-captain will have to wait and see what punishment the FA decide to hand out.