• FA Cup

Allardyce denies FA charge

ESPN staff
January 23, 2013
Sam Allardyce was not happy with Phil Dowd © Getty Images
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West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has denied a misconduct charge relating to comments made to the media following their match against Manchester United on January 16, the Football Association has confirmed.

A statement on the FA website read: "It is alleged Allardyce questioned the integrity of the match referee and/or match officials in general, and/or implied that the match referee and/or match officials in general were motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute in contravention of Rule E3(1). Allardyce has requested a personal hearing, the date of which will be set in due course."

Allardyce reacted angrily to Phil Dowd's decision to award United a penalty for a handball by Jordan Spence after his side were denied one for a similar offence by Rafael at the other end. Wayne Rooney, who scored the match's decisive goal, went on to miss from spot, but Allardyce was displeased with the call by Dowd.

Speaking on ITV after the match, a furious Allardyce said: "There's no doubt about the difference between Rafael's handball and Jordan Spence's. Spence plays for West Ham and the away team, while Rafael plays for the home side at Old Trafford. You see it time and time again at Old Trafford.''

Later in his press conference, Allardyce continued his complaint, saying: "He couldn't find the courage to give it unfortunately, and he then went down the other end and there was a very similar incident with Jordan Spence and it was given.

"That is a very big disappointment for me - the lack of consistency in that area. I think you have to have courage to play here and to referee here.

"But why are you a professional referee or player? To come to these places to do your job, and do it to the best of your ability. Phil Dowd is a hugely-experienced referee and one of the top ones in this country, but today I have to say he did get it wrong.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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