Bristol Rovers will contest the FA's charge against coach Andy Mangan after the first-team coach was accused of an alleged homophobic comment towards a member of the Plymouth Argyle staff during the half-time interval of the Gas' 2-2 draw in October.
First-team coach Mangan is said to be deeply hurt by the allegation, has categorically denied saying the slur, and in a statement issued on Thursday, Rovers claim they were "astonished" by the charge as there is no evidence to support the accusation.
Bristol Live understands it surrounds an incident during Joey Barton's half-time team talk, when Mangan and captain Paul Coutts caught a member of Plymouth's matchday staff allegedly filming around the back door of the Rovers changing room. When confronted after the game by members of Barton's team, Plymouth's coaching staff denied the individual was under instruction from anyone.
