THE Football Association have charged a non-league footballer with misconduct regarding a series of vile tweets he sent to Harry Arter following Cherries' match with Arsenal earlier this month.

Alfie Barker targeted Arter with abuse about the Cherries midfielder and partner Rachel losing stillborn daughter Renee in December 2015, after Arsenal had recovered from 3-0 down to draw the match at Vitality Stadium.

Barker's club, Hitchin Town, terminated his registration after he posted tweets which read "At least you didn't lose your kid" and "Big hype just for a disappointment like the nine months leading up to your child's birth".

Barker subsequently apologised for his comments but following an investigation, the governing body has charged the 19-year-old, who was playing on loan for South Midlands League side Codicote at the time of his tweets.

An FA statement released today reads: "Alfie Barker has been charged for misconduct in relation to social media comments.

"It is alleged the player posted comments which were abusive and/or insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute contrary to Rule E3 (1)."

Barker has until Wednesday next week to respond to the charge.