Warnock ponders appeal

23 October 2014 05:31

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock will wait to hear the reasons behind the Football Association's charge for misconduct before deciding whether to make an appeal.

Warnock was charged for his comments following Palace's 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat at home to Chelsea on Saturday, when he appeared to infer referee Craig Pawson showed double standards by not booking John Terry before cautioning Palace's Damien Delaney for a similar offence.

The FA said in a statement: "It is alleged that Warnock's post-match comments constituted improper conduct in that they implied the match referee was motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of FA Rule E3[1]."

Warnock has until 6pm on Monday to respond and Press Association Sport understands the Eagles boss will wait for the FA's formal letter before deciding whether to appeal.

"As long as you don't question their (referees') integrity - and I don't think I did that, I questioned his experience really or the influence of certain things in the game but not his integrity," Warnock said on Thursday, before the FA charge had been confirmed.

"We will have to wait and see. I would imagine from what I have been told I will have a letter."

Warnock said last weekend he thought Pawson had been "influenced" by the Chelsea players when he chose to show Delaney a second yellow card for tugging the shirt of Loic Remy, just three minutes after sending off Cesar Azpilicueta.

He also questioned the experience of Pawson, who has refereed 17 matches in the top flight since officiating his first Premier League fixture in March 2013.

Warnock softened his stance towards Pawson on Thursday but reiterated his view that the Chelsea fixture should have been allocated to a more established official.

"I have been absolutely delighted (by the standard of refereeing this season). The referees we have had this season have done really well, it's surprised me," Warnock said.

"One or two of the younger ones who have been criticised in the past have done well. Even on Saturday, I think Craig Pawson will be a very good referee in the future.

"What surprised me a little bit is that a south London derby like that, when we get a young, quite inexperienced Premier League referee, even though he's a good one.

"People like Mark Clattenburg have not got a game. It bewilders me if I am honest."

Source: PA