Premier League
Spurs manager Redknapp unlikely to face FA charge for calling referee 'scary'
The Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, was displeased with the referee's performance at the Hawthorns. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Harry Redknapp is likely to escape FA censure for describing referee Steve Tanner as "scary" and "not up to" the Premier League. The Tottenham Hotspur manager made his comments in the wake of his team's 2-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion yesterday, but the FA said it is likely no action will be taken.
It was thought that the former Portsmouth and West Ham manager would be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but an FA spokesman has confirmed that although the association is looking at Redknapp's comments, it is unlikely to dole out any punishment.
The FA disciplinary board have examined Redknapp's comments and despite the fact that what he said is considered close to disreputable, they are expected to decide against any charge unless further comments come to light. Charges are more likely when a manager questions a referee's impartiality or insults him personally.
The former West Ham and Portsmouth manager was angered by Tanner's failure to penalise Roman Bednar for pushing Spurs defender Michael Dawson in the back as he rose to head home Albion's opener.
"I couldn't even put into words what I thought of [Tanner's] performance," he said on Sunday evening. "I'll be honest with you, I walked into the referee's game before the game and saw who was refereeing and I really knew what was coming. I've had him many times before and I know what he's like. He's really not good enough. He's just a poor referee and I've seen him make a mess of so many games before that it didn't surprise me.
"I don't complain about referees," he continued. "I never, ever walk in after a game and complain about a referee. I haven't done for years. But this guy today was scary. He's not up to the Premier League."
Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate also criticised Tanner after the match at the Hawthorns. "If we [the players] make mistakes, we are punished but if the officials do, what happens to them? Nothing. Everyone could see it was a push on Dawson. Something has to be done," he said.
"We are playing in the Premier League, which is the biggest league in the world. You expect it in a Sunday league but not in the Premier League."
Redknapp was charged for using abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official in February 2007 after being angered by a Joey Barton tackle on then Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. The match referee, Mike Dean, sent Redknapp to the stands after the manager confronted him at half-time.
Roy Keane was the last Premier League manager to be charged with improper conduct following Sunderland's game at Stamford Bridge on 1 November. The former Black Cats manager admitted the charge and on 18 December he was warned about his future conduct.
Redknapp got away with this as the FA said it was 'out of character' for him to say such things. Absolute bull****. Ferguson comes out with worse than Rafa every week. Blatant hypocrisy and double standards. Rules are rules and they should apply across the board regardless of who said it and their previous 'character'.
Spurs manager Redknapp unlikely to face FA charge for calling referee 'scary'
The Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp, was displeased with the referee's performance at the Hawthorns. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA
Harry Redknapp is likely to escape FA censure for describing referee Steve Tanner as "scary" and "not up to" the Premier League. The Tottenham Hotspur manager made his comments in the wake of his team's 2-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion yesterday, but the FA said it is likely no action will be taken.
It was thought that the former Portsmouth and West Ham manager would be charged with bringing the game into disrepute, but an FA spokesman has confirmed that although the association is looking at Redknapp's comments, it is unlikely to dole out any punishment.
The FA disciplinary board have examined Redknapp's comments and despite the fact that what he said is considered close to disreputable, they are expected to decide against any charge unless further comments come to light. Charges are more likely when a manager questions a referee's impartiality or insults him personally.
The former West Ham and Portsmouth manager was angered by Tanner's failure to penalise Roman Bednar for pushing Spurs defender Michael Dawson in the back as he rose to head home Albion's opener.
"I couldn't even put into words what I thought of [Tanner's] performance," he said on Sunday evening. "I'll be honest with you, I walked into the referee's game before the game and saw who was refereeing and I really knew what was coming. I've had him many times before and I know what he's like. He's really not good enough. He's just a poor referee and I've seen him make a mess of so many games before that it didn't surprise me.
"I don't complain about referees," he continued. "I never, ever walk in after a game and complain about a referee. I haven't done for years. But this guy today was scary. He's not up to the Premier League."
Spurs defender Jonathan Woodgate also criticised Tanner after the match at the Hawthorns. "If we [the players] make mistakes, we are punished but if the officials do, what happens to them? Nothing. Everyone could see it was a push on Dawson. Something has to be done," he said.
"We are playing in the Premier League, which is the biggest league in the world. You expect it in a Sunday league but not in the Premier League."
Redknapp was charged for using abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official in February 2007 after being angered by a Joey Barton tackle on then Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes. The match referee, Mike Dean, sent Redknapp to the stands after the manager confronted him at half-time.
Roy Keane was the last Premier League manager to be charged with improper conduct following Sunderland's game at Stamford Bridge on 1 November. The former Black Cats manager admitted the charge and on 18 December he was warned about his future conduct.
Redknapp got away with this as the FA said it was 'out of character' for him to say such things. Absolute bull****. Ferguson comes out with worse than Rafa every week. Blatant hypocrisy and double standards. Rules are rules and they should apply across the board regardless of who said it and their previous 'character'.
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