FA Charges Man United Over Player Misconduct In Liverpool Defeat
21st January 2020
Roberto Firmino subsequently scored, but his goal was ruled out following a VAR review of Van Dijk's clash with the Spanish goalkeeper
- Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association (FA) over misconduct of their players in the 2-0 defeat by runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool
- United's players surrounded referee Craig Pawson midway through the first-half on Sunday after Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk challenged goalkeeper David de Gea.
- A furious De Gea led United protests, rushing over to Pawson to vent his frustration. The Spaniard, who was booked for his actions, was joined by a number of his team-mates in surrounding Pawson
LONDON, United
Kingdom- Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association
(FA) over misconduct of their players in the 2-0 defeat by runaway Premier
League leaders Liverpool.
United's players surrounded referee Craig Pawson midway
through the first-half on Sunday after Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk challenged
goalkeeper David de Gea.
Roberto Firmino subsequently scored, but his goal was ruled
out following a VAR review of Van Dijk's clash with the Spanish goalkeeper.
De Gea dropped the ball which the defence failed to clear
allowing Firmino to take advantage and score.
"Manchester United FC has been charged with a breach of
FA Rule E20(a)," read the FA statement.
"It is alleged that the club failed to ensure its
players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during the 26th minute of
the Premier League fixture against Liverpool FC on Sunday (19/01/20)."
A furious De Gea led United protests, rushing over to Pawson
to vent his frustration. The Spaniard, who was booked for his actions, was
joined by a number of his team-mates in surrounding Pawson.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not appear best
pleased that the charge had been brought.
"Maybe I shouldn't talk too much and let's get that
decision done," said Solskjaer at Tuesday's eve of match press conference
with Burnley.
"But it was overturned. I didn't see it (the players
reaction) and I reacted myself.
"It was a foul."
Van Dijk had already opened the scoring for Liverpool prior
to the incident and Mohamed Salah added a second in time added on to extend
Liverpool's lead over Manchester City to 16 points -- United trail by 30
points.
United have until Thursday to respond to the charge.