GILLINGHAM'S player-coach Iwan Roberts has been charged with two accounts of improper conduct following comments in his autobiography.

In the book All I Want For Christmas, Roberts admitted deliberately stamping on Kevin Muscat during a match for his former club Norwich.

The first charge relates to his conduct on the field and the second to the fact that he published an account of the incident, stating that his actions were motivated by an element of revenge.

If found guilty, Roberts will almost certainly be hit with a fine and possible suspension.

The 36-year-old striker claimed in his book that he intentionally fouled the Wolves player in retribution for Muscat’s tackle on Roberts’ former Norwich team-mate, Craig Bellamy.

Roberts revealed in the autobiography: “I have always said that if you get a chance to get a bit of retribution then I think you’ve got to take it and that was an ideal opportunity for me to do it sort of ‘accidentally’. It was definitely intentional.”

Roberts said he will seek a personal hearing at Soho Square and was unrepentant about the book.

“It’s a shame it has come to this but I certainly don’t regret writing the book. It’s an honest account of the season and my career as a whole,” he said.

“The incident happened a long time ago and it went unnoticed at the time. Kevin wasn’t hurt and we’ve both moved on since then.”

Gills’ player-manager Andy Hessenthaler supported Roberts, saying: “It would be a little harsh on Iwan if he did get a ban but worse on the club because it was something that happened six years ago when he wasn’t connected to Gillingham.

“He will be sitting down with the chairman to try and resolve the problem.”

The case has similarities with Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane, who stated in his autobiography that he had deliberately fouled Manchester City player Alf-Inge Haaland, to gain retribution for earlier tackles by the Norway international.

Keane received a ban of five domestic matches and a record fine of £150,000 for bringing the game into disrepute.

Roberts has until September 13 to answer the charges.