BLACKBURN Rovers midfielder Hope Akpan could face an extended ban following his red card against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek after he was charged by the Football Association.

Akpan was sent off in the closing stages of the 2-1 defeat to the Owls for raising his hands towards referee Scott Duncan after the official disallowed what would have been a Rovers equaliser for handball.

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Rovers have also been charged by the FA for failing to control their players and could face a fine.

Hull City were this week fined £20,000 for failure to control their players during the weekend defeat to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Akpan has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the charge while the club have until 6pm on Tuesday.

The Rovers midfielder will serve a minimum three match suspension - ruling him out of Sunday's FA Cup tie with Manchester United and the Championship games with Burton Albion and Derby County - but that could be extended depending on Akpan's response and the findings of an independent commission.

Rovers also saw winger Elliott Bennett hit with a two match ban after he used foul and abusive language towards the officials after the final whistle at Hillsborough.