FA charges Sam Allardyce over remarks made to ref

Sam Allardyce has been charged with misconduct by the FA on Friday after criticising referee Phil Dowd after West Ham’s defeat by Manchester United in their FA Cup clash.

A Wayne Rooney goal early on in the clash at the Theatre of Dreams put paid to the third round replay of their FA Cup game. Rooney also blasted over the crossbar from the penalty spot after a Jordan Spence handball in the penalty area.

After the match Big Sam insisted that West ham should also have been awarded a penalty when united defender Rafael appeared to handle the ball in a similar to way to Spence in his own area.

Speaking to ITV, Sam Allardyce said: “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,” added the Hammers boss as he expressed a widely-held view within English football that referees are inclined favour United when they are at home.

Allardyce was alleged to have told reporters: “He (Phil Dowd) 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.”

Sam Allardyce has until next Wednesday to respond to the charge says the Football Association.