Warnock asked to explain comments

Posted Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by PA

The Football Association have asked Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock to explain his post-match comments following his side's draw against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Warnock called for assistant referee Trevor Massey to be banned for incorrectly awarding the corner which led to Villa's late equaliser in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park.

The FA have given the 61-year-old a week to lodge his response and officials will digest his explanation before deciding whether he faces an improper conduct charge.

"We have asked Neil Warnock for his observations regarding his media comments after Crystal Palace's match against Aston Villa," said an FA spokesperson. "He has until February 23 to respond."

Warnock appeared on radio the day after the match and insisted he had calmed down after the 2-2 draw.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "My wife reminded me that in the last round we got a corner against Wolves and it was a goal-kick and we scored the first goal that way."

Warnock, however, did not retract his comments about officials being banned after making high-profile errors.

He added: "I was annoyed. I do think they should get banned, only for two or three games, but they have to realise the importance of concentrating at that level for the 90 minutes and not just a period."

Warnock, who was also upset at Massey smiling during his performance, added: "It goes back to my Graham Poll days.

"I just hate officials smiling when they have done something wrong. It does bug me."