Cardiff manager Neil Warnock will contest three Football Association charges over controversial remarks he made about Premier League officials.
Warnock was charged over comments he made in interviews immediately after the 2-1 Premier League home defeat by Chelsea on March 31 and in a radio interview the following day.
The 70-year-old called Premier League referees the 'worst in the world' and had been given until Tuesday to provide a response.
'I've pleaded not guilty to the charges and I expect to have a hearing sometime this week, I hope,' Warnock said at his press conference before the crunch relegation battle at Brighton on Tuesday.
'But it can't come early because we've got a game Tuesday and I've got a funeral on Wednesday up in Chesterfield.'
Relegation-threatened Cardiff had been on course for a vital three points before Chelsea's 84th-minute equaliser which was headed home by Cesar Azpilicueta from a clear offside position.
Warnock was also unhappy Antonio Rudiger was not sent off after bringing down Kenneth Zohore moments later, and he also felt Cardiff should have been awarded two penalties.
He approached referee Craig Pawson and his assistants after the final whistle but said nothing, merely staring at them as they left the field.
Confirming the charges last Friday, the FA said: 'It is alleged that comments he made in a post-match interview with the BBC, and a post-match interview with Sky Sports, following the Premier League game against Chelsea on 31 March 2019, were improper in that they questioned the integrity of the match official and/or implied bias.
'It is further alleged that comments he made in a talkSPORT radio interview on 1 April 2019 constitute improper conduct and/or bring the game into disrepute.'
hondekmouz
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I could understand his predicament. That was horrendous officiating. Every week, it seems the same couple of teams are gifted with goals and dubious decisions. That's why they're top! It has been the worst season when it comes to officiating and VAR couldn't come soon enough.
Bratshuks22
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Wornock was right actually those match officials and FA must be investigated for match fixing ,what more could have done with such horrific officiating ??
Gloriouser
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He should have said, I plead guilty for calling them worst in the world when what i meant was worst in the universe
jeersure
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He’s not entirely wrong to be honest
Dianaa
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Hahaha, I can imagine Warnock just rocking up and trying to prove the classic legal defence 'honest opinion'.
japonica
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Whilst what he said may very well be true, I can't see him winning that appeal as there's video evidence of him saying that - which isn't allowed.
yukon
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It’s easier to fine and ban players and management for criticism of referees than it is to actually change anything so I don’t see this changing anytime soon
yuyu21
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If that's what he's been done for, then I think he's right to appeal. Managers say that officials are terrible all the time. Sarri just this weekend said something along the lines of "Officials are not good enough for the Premier League". Which he should be allowed to say. I know Warnock went a step further, but I still think as long as you're not claiming bias that you should be allowed to criticise refs.
playlove
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He'll get hammered because he isn't Pep or Klopp.
zaima
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One thing you can't dispute is Warnock's honesty. He's right his team did have decisions go against him but that's not how officials will see it. £50,000 fine coming straight up in a week where he's fighting relegation and got a funeral.
pensive
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Lifetime ban from coaching again in the EPL
malaysia
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Unfortunately, he's totally correct.