Everton manager Frank Lampard has been charged by the Football Association regarding his comments after the Merseyside derby with Liverpool at Anfield.
Lampard was left frustrated when an appeal for a penalty was turned down after Anthony Gordon and Joel Matip competed for the ball in the second half. A number of analysts and pundits argued a penalty should have been awarded, while the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL) reportedly said the organisation would have had "no complaints" had a spot kick been given.
The controversy came with the score level at 0-0. Liverpool went on to win 2-0. In the aftermath, Lampard said he believed Gordon should have been given a penalty and argued Reds forward Mohamed Salah would have been awarded one had the situation been reversed.
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Lampard said: "It is a penalty in the second half. I don’t think you get them here. I think probably if that is Mo Salah at the other end, you get a penalty. And I'm not trying to create conflict there, I think it is just the reality of football sometimes."
In the days that followed it emerged the FA had contacted Lampard over his comments - and on Friday he confirmed he had written back. This evening, the FA confirmed it had charged the Blues boss with a rules breach.
A statement released by the organisation said: "It is alleged that the manager's comments constitute improper conduct as they imply bias and/or attack the integrity of the match referee - or referees generally and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA rule E3.1. Frank Lampard has until Monday, 9 May to provide a response."
Everton had themselves written to the PGMOL following the game as the club sought clarification over why the decision had not received greater scrutiny. As of Friday, no response had been received.
