CARLA WARD has been hit with a fine and banned from the touchline for one match following remarks made after Birmingham’s loss to Arsenal in December.
The Damson Park gaffer’s comment that her team had “played against more than 11 for sure”’ is judged to have breached the FA’s conduct regulations.
Carla Ward will miss Birmingham’s WSL game against Tottenham following an FA ban Credit: PA:Press Association
Following the defeat to the Gunners Ward, 37, criticised the standard of officiating in the game describing it as “poor on the whole”.
And the former Sheffield United manager questioned Christiana Hattersley’s decision to refuse her players’ penalty calls during the game.
It was a match that Birmingham, who are currently seventh, would go on to lose 3-0.
Following the defeat, Ward said: “I’m not going to dress it up, it was one of the worst refereeing performances I think I’ve seen.
“I think overall she (the referee) was very, very poor. We are talking about the professional game here, and we’ve got Sunday league referees.
“Arsenal are an exceptional side with unbelievable ability but we played against more than 11 today for sure.”
Ward has acknowledged observations made during her post-game interview constituted improper conduct.
The suspension means the Birmingham boss, who has been fined £375, will miss her side’s first WSL clash of the year when they visit Tottenham.
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Carla Ward has been £375 following comments made after Birmingham’s loss to Arsenal in December Credit: Getty Images – Getty
The team, who have battled with injuries with several players on the treatment table, have enjoyed a resurgence under Ward’s stewardship.
The Isle of Wight-born coach led her side to the semis of the 2020 Women’s FA Cup.
And the Midlands side are currently four places higher than where they finished at the end of the curtailed 2019-20 WSL season.
Watch Vivianne Miedema hit her 50th WSL goal to become the league’s all-time record scorer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
