Bryan Robson is likely to be facing a misconduct charge today when the FA meet to consider his angry confrontation with referee Neale Barry 12 days ago.

Robson clashed with the Scunthorpe match official after the defeat at Coventry, and Lancaster Gate's disciplinary commission is scheduled to reach a decision this afternon.

"We are still considering the referee's report but the suggestion is that he will be charged," confirmed an FA spokesman last night.

A furious Robson tackled Barry in the tunnel at Highfield Road after claiming Coventry's second goal in their 2-1 win was offside.

The Middlesbrough boss has already started a war of words with the FA following the decision to charge Boro with failing to control their players against Manchester United, five days before the Coventry game.

Boro were indicted on video evidence after the players protested to referee Paul Durkin and his assistant over the fourth goal in United's 4-3 win at the Riverside.

Robson is incensed that the FA took no action earlier in the season when Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and a crowd of players hounded referee Andy D'Urso at Old Trafford, in the match against Boro.

"I find it incredible the FA can even think about charging us after the events at Old Trafford when Manchester United were not charged," he stormed.

"Knowing the way the FA go with this club, we will probably be deducted points.

"The lads did contest the decision over United's fourth goal but they had been wound up by the fact they had a perfectly good goal ruled out before this.

"That plays on your mind. But I asked them to calm down from the touchline and I thought they did that, they backed off and then got on with the football.

"This is a man's game and I've said before I think the FA are trying to take that element away and it's wrong."

Boro were given 14 days to respond to the charge but have not yet done so. Robson has been infuriated by the authorities after problems throughout the season.

First, Brian Deane was charged - and banned - on video evidence over an elbow incident against Sunderland that was missed by match officials.

Robson protested over that - and again when Paul Gascoigne was banned on video evidence for his forearm smash on George Boateng and forced to serve the supension after he recovered from his broken arm.

Boro made the FA backtrack on the Gascoigne decision and will certainly fiercely contest the latest charge from the Manchester United match.

Robson is demanding the rules should be made clear at the start of the season and remain the same for everyone until May.

Meanwhile, Boro's coaching staff were at several games on the continent last night, including the France-Slovenia match.

l Middlesbrough Reserves rounded off their seasonal campaign with a 2-0 win over Man United thanks to two goals from Irish Youth striker Gerard Robinson at the Cellnet Riverside Stadium last night.

Robinson, who had helped the club's youth team to the semi-final of the FA Youth Cup, scored after 53 and 78 minutes.

Phil Stamp enjoyed a fine game and was only prevented from opening the scoring thanks to the agility of goalkeeper Nick Culkin.

There was nothing Culkin could do to prevent Boro's opener with Richard Kell beating the offside trap, advancing into the penalty area and squaring to Robinson who netted from seven yards.

Boro's goalkeeper Chris Bennion enjoyed a solid debut, but his opposite number was at fault for Boro's second when he dropped a cross at the feet of Robinson who had a simple task to bundle over from close ranger.

Boro: Bennion, Stockdale, Kilgannon (Wilkshire 77), Gavin, Maddison, Harrison, Stamp, Kell, Robinson, Marinelli (Jones 69), Hudson (McStea 87). Subs (not used): Hanson, Russell.

Man United: Culkin, Roche, Higginbotham, O'Shea, Wallwork, Evans, Twiss (Cosgrove 69), Wilson, Stewart (Rose 61), Greening, Fortune (Howard 61). Subs (not used): Tierney, Coates.