Report: Man City to contest Aguero's violent conduct charge

Manchester City is contesting the violent conduct charge against Sergio Aguero in a bid to keep him from missing the derby against Manchester United on Sept. 10, according to multiple reports.

The FA opened proceedings after Aguero was caught on camera elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid during last weekend's fixture at Etihad.

The Argentine had until 6 p.m. local time (1 p.m. ET) on Wednesday to dispute the charge.

Related: Aguero charged with violent conduct, could miss Manchester derby

A three-man panel consisting of former match officials will now determine whether Aguero is guilty. Sky Sports indicates they could convene as early as Friday to discuss the player's fate.

A guilty verdict - which would incur a three-match ban - can only happen if the decision is unanimous. The commission will review footage of the 76th-minute incident and determine whether it was worthy of a straight dismissal.

Along with the derby, Aguero risks missing a Sept. 17 league match at home against Bournemouth and a League Cup meeting with Swansea City four days later.

His absence would leave Pep Guardiola with just Kelechi Iheanacho up front.

Aguero is also unavailable for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay (Sept. 1) and Venezuela (Sept. 6), after straining his calf during the West Ham contest. The injury could sideline him for the derby regardless of the panel's findings.