CHRIS WILDER faces punishment from the FA after his “Sandwichgate” rant last month.
The Sheffield United boss launched a blistering attack on a bread-devouring official after his team’s 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace.
Wilder, 56, claimed “every 50/50 or tight decision” went against the relegation-threatened Blades.
And he has now been charged by the FA for breaching rule E3.1 in relation to media comments.
It’s alleged that Wilder’s words constituted improper conduct, in that they implied bias and/or attacked the integrity of the referee, and/or brought the game into disrepute.
He now faces a potential two-game touchline ban for his words, with the Blades facing Brighton and Wolves next.
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The Sheffield United boss said at the time: “I’ve been to see the referee, I’ve told him that (every decision went against Sheffield United).
“One of his assistants was eating a sandwich at the time and I thought that was a complete lack of respect.
“Hopefully he was enjoying his sandwich while talking to a Premier League manager.”
Wilder continued: “It’s yet again another ridiculous performance from the referee.
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“I was told by a Premier League referee, who I’ve known for a long time and who’s as honest as the day is long. He said get ready because every tight decision will go against you.
“He said every 50/50 decision will go against you. We had two bookings in the first half of the game but they weren’t bookings. They were just a coming together.
“Their boy absolutely takes our goalkeeper out, we have to change goalkeepers and the boy doesn’t get booked. He says it was an accident, he clashed, it makes no odds if it’s an accident or it’s not an accident. It’s a yellow card.
“We pick up four yellow cards, they pick up one at the death for time wasting. They’re taking an age. Their game management was good, but they’re taking an age.
“We talked with Howard Webb about speeding the game up and making sure that referees have got a grip on that and he could hear the frustration for the supporters. He could see our frustration from our players.
“Every 50/50 or tight decision goes against us and if that’s what we’re going to have to deal with between now and the end of the season, we’re going to deal with it.”
Wilder has until February 16th to respond to the charge.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was charged with the same offence following his side’s defeat to Newcastle in November.
But his case was cleared by the FA following a hearing by the Regulatory Commission.
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Wilder will be hoping for a similar verdict as he battles to keep the Blades in the Premier League.
They are bottom of the table with just three wins in 24 games, and are seven points off safety.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
