Jason Puncheon could be stripped of Crystal Palace captaincy after assault arrest

Puncheon has been charged by police with assault
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Giuseppe Muro19 December 2017

Roy Hodgson is weighing up whether or not to strip Jason Puncheon of the Crystal Palace captaincy after the midfielder was arrested for allegedly fighting outside a nightclub.

Puncheon has been charged by police with assault and having a weapon following an incident near a Surrey nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning. Surrey police confirmed he was arrested at 2.20am for “causing fear or provocation of violence, possession of an offensive weapon and common assault”.

The 31-year-old has been released on bail to appear at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on January 5.

The arrest has raised serious questions about his position as club captain and Hodgson intends to discuss the matter with Palace chairman Steve Parish.

Puncheon, who trained yesterday despite his arrest, was not in breach of any club rules by being out on Saturday night but Hodgson will clearly not be impressed by the alleged incident.

Palace have not made any statement on the situation but could potentially take disciplinary action against him.

Puncheon was first made Palace captain by Sam Allardyce last season and he was given the armband on a permanent basis at the start of this season.

But he has been out of the team under Hodgson and has not played since he came on as a late substitute in the 2-2 draw with Everton on November 18.Puncheon has not started a Premier League game since the 4-0 defeat at Manchester United on September 30 and his arrest has raised questions about his future at the club.

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The incident happened only hours after Palace beat 3-0 Leicester on Saturday to move two points clear of the relegation zone. Puncheon was not in the side and he did not travel with the rest of the squad because he was unwell last week. Scott Dann was the Palace captain at the King Power Stadium.

Dann and goalkeeper Julian Speroni could be two options to take over as skipper if Puncheon is stripped of the captaincy. Palace are unbeaten in seven matches and the arrest is an unnecessary distraction following their recent upturn in form. Hodgson is due to speak publicly about the matter for the first time on Thursday when he gives his weekly press conference.

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