FA strike at "Bin Warnock" (updated)

04 April 2002

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has been charged with misconduct by the FA following "an incident" that took place in the tunnel after their infamous game against Albion a few weeks ago.

The FA have been reviewing reports of the game and making investigations, with details of their findings expected to be announced imminently.

Interestingly, we're grateful to David Allen for pointing out the quotes we reported after the same game last season:

"It stinks to get a fellow professional sent off although, at the end of the day, I wish I had someone like Hughes because he won the game. But how we ended up with only 10 men and West Brom had 11 I don't know. What I have got to do is get together a team of con men, divers and players referees can't understand"

Looks like Warnock has succeeded in his objective...

Update:

Friday's Daily Mirror web site suggests that Warnock's job is "on the line" following the likely action by the FA and suggests that United will be docked six points. Charges of misconduct are being levelled at Warnock, Santos and Suffo - and, interestingly, at skipper Keith Curle, who appeared to have been trying to get himself sent off following instructions from Warnock but who escaped punishment on the day because referee Eddie Wolstenholme felt that it might have been enough to start a riot.

Warnock was charged with misconduct yesterday for using threatening behaviour to officials, and United will be punished for allowing their players to harass the referee and his assistants if the FA compliance officer's recommendations are accepted by their Chief Executive, Adam Crozier. The Mirror report suggests that he is keen to enforce the points deduction penalty and make an example of the club.

Given that United's chairman has so far stood behind Warnock, will he now be in a difficult position as well?

Sheffield United currently have 57 points, and a six point deduction would only drop them two places in the table. However, it would put them only seven points above the relegation spots - although with six other teams filling the gap it's very hard to see that they would be in any real danger. Now, if they made it a ten point deduction...

A statement on the official Sheffield United site suggests that they might now be looking to have a go at Albion in revenge for Megson's suggestion that they deliberately engineered the match abandonment. The statement includes the quotes:

"We always knew there was no evidence to support the allegations of cheating and feigning injuries to get the match abandoned."

"We will now be considering our position on the cheating allegations and take appropriate advice. We have to consider all the circumstances surrounding the allegations as we seek to preserve the good name of Sheffield United."

Note that it doesn't say they didn't do it! Just that there's no evidence to support it. As for preserving the good name of Sheffield United - after SIX charges from the FA - we reckon it's a bit late. Take our advice lads - and just let it drop.

Previous Stories:

  03 April 2002:  Bradford tickets? No chance

  02 April 2002:  Megson wins second award

  28 March 2002:  WBA announce half year results

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