PATRICK Vieira has defended his attack on Glenn Whelan by claiming he was in the middle of a Word War Two flashback.
The Manchester City star was charged with violent conduct by the FA after match referee Alan Wiley threatened him with nothing more than a week in the cooler.
City supporter Charlie Reeves said: "The two of them went in for the tackle and the next minute Vieira shouted 'Vive la Resistance!' and started hoofing him in the crackers.
"After he got up, I'm sure I heard him call Whelan an 'occupying Nazi pig', which I thought was a bit strong."
Vieira faced further censure from Stoke City after staff discovered a network of tunnels leading from the away side dressing room, believed to be part of an escape plan by the Frenchman.
Groundsman Wayne Hayes said: "We knew there was something wrong because the pitch is now the same height as Row F in the main stand. I watched the game again and you can clearly see Vieira emptying soil from his shorts during a corner kick. It's like we’ve been infested by enormous French moles."
Attending the initial FA hearing, Vieira was taciturn, refusing to give anything but his name, position and squad number. The meeting was nearly adjourned as he was wrestled to the ground after attempting to take a suicide pill.
City boss Roberto Mancini said: "When we signed Patrick, we knew that along with the great experience his age brings we were getting the kind of eccentricity that occasionally makes him think he's a freedom fighter trying to liberate Le Havre.
"I will speak to him about his conduct as soon as I can find him, as he currently thinks he's having a torrid affair with Edith Piaf."