Dean Smith charged by FA after calling Jon Moss and his assistants clowns during Aston Villa’s defeat to Man City
DEAN SMITH has been charged by the FA after branding referee Jon Moss and his assistants clowns during Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Manchester City.
Moss showed Smith a yellow card, swiftly followed by a red, after the Aston Villa boss blew his top over Bernado Silva’s controversial 79th minute opener at the Etihad.
Smith lost his customary cool when Rodri ran back from an offside position to rob Tyrone Mings of possession and set up City’s crucial breakthrough goal.
He ranted at fourth official David Coote and asked: “if he got juggling balls for Christmas,” before aiming another sarcastic volley at Moss after he was booked, causing the referee to upgrade the card to a red.
Smith couldn’t disguise his disgust or contain his anger during his post-match interviews, branding the offside rule ‘pathetic’ and claimed: “He was ten yards offside. It’s a pathetic law and a pathetic decision.”
His mood didn’t improve as Moss then awarded City a penalty after the ball struck Matty Cash’s hand at point blank range.
“He’s a yard away. If that’s handball we might as well pack up,” said Smith who then landed himself in further bother with the FA by suggesting he was treated differently to other managers by Moss.
“I think I got treated rather unfairly,” he raged.
“I’ve heard a lot of worse things said to Jonathan Moss before and he’s not dealt with it like that. It looks like he couldn’t wait to give me a yellow and then a red.”
The FA take a dim view on managers who suggest match officials are not completely impartial and a spokesman confirmed: “Dean Smith has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following Aston Villa FC’s Premier League match against Manchester City FC on Wednesday.
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“It is alleged that the manager used abusive and/or insulting language towards a match official during the 81st minute.”
Smith denied the first part of the charge, claiming: “It wasn’t swear words. He (Moss) came over and said he was interpreting the laws of the game.
“I said, ‘Well you should have done that earlier in the game.’
“I think I got treated rather unfairly. I’ve heard a lot of worse things said to Jonathan Moss before and he’s not dealt with it like that. It looks like he couldn’t wait to give me a yellow and then a red.”
However he will find it harder to argue the second part of the charge which accuses him of using insulting language after suggesting the officials were clowns.
Smith now has until Tuesday to juggle in his own mind, whether to contest the charge, or simply hold up his hands and accept the FA’s punishment.
