O’s president Francesco Becchetti has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

The charge concerns Becchetti’s conduct following the Boxing Day victory over Portsmouth. The Orient owner appeared to argue with assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler at the final whistle and the Italian aimed a kick at the former Gillingham manager on the pitch.

Hessenthaler dismissed the events as ‘a little bit of banter’ and a statement was released on the club’s official website which described the exchange between the pair as ‘good natured’.

The FA statement reads:

Francesco Becchetti has been charged for misconduct following Leyton Orient’s game against Portsmouth on 26 December 2015. It is alleged that his behaviour at the end of the fixture amounts to violent and/or improper conduct. He has until 6pm on 4 January 2016 to respond to the charge.

Read more at http://www.thefa.com/news/governance/2015/dec/francesco-becchetti-leyton-orient-portsmouth-charge#CCGPDXa9kJ8D5Hkm.99

Becchetti had moved down from the director’s box at half-time to sit behind the dugout and he was ‘getting involved’ according to Hessenthaler. The president also did a lap of the Brisbane Road pitch and celebrated the victory with fans.