Striker sent off for slapping captain

Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller was sent off for fighting with his own captain in their 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Sunday.

Fuller's moment of madness came after 53 minutes, just after Carlton Cole had equalised for the Hammers.

The 6ft 3in hitman blamed skipper Andy Griffin for failing to stop the leveler. Griffin had been turned by Cole in the 51st minute as the West Ham striker canceled out Abdoulaye Faye's fourth-minute header.

The pair became embroiled in a heated exchange near the center circle and Fuller then aimed a left-handed slap at Griffin before being pushed away by team-mate Glenn Whelan.

And infuriated Potters boss Tony Pulis said: "The lads said that Ric and Griff had an altercation and Ric’s pushed him in the face.

"I’ve seen the Fuller incident again on TV and he walks up, slaps Griffin on the chin so I will deal with that on Monday.

"I will sort that out and we’ll deal with it in house."

Fuller now faces a £20,000 fine - a maximum two week's wages - along with his three-match ban for violent conduct.

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