Scholes won 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Champions League crowns before hanging up his boots in 2013.
He recently left his role as manager of League Two outfit Oldham Athletic after only 31 days in charge.
He has until April 26 to respond to the FA charge.
Representatives of Scholes could not immediately be reached for comment.
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(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
