Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl speaks to referee Martin Atkinson after the match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, London October 2, 2021. — Reuters pic
LONDON, Oct 15 — Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been charged with improper conduct by the FA for comments he made about official Mike Dean after his side’s 3-1 Premier League defeat at Chelsea this month.
Hasenhuttl complained about Dean, one of England’s top referees who was the video assistant referee for the game, over the decision to send off midfielder James Ward-Prowse following a VAR review.
Ward-Prowse had been booked by referee Martin Atkinson for a challenge on Jorginho but was shown a red card after Dean advised the official to review the incident on the pitchside screen.
Ward-Prowse was sent off when the score was 1-1 with 13 minutes remaining and Chelsea capitalised on their extra man to score two late goals and leave Southampton 17th in the standings after seven games and no wins.
“I knew when Mike Dean was on the VAR that the referee would go and have a look at it,” Hasenhuttl said.
In an interview with BBC Radio, the Austrian coach added: “I always have a bit of a problem when we know Mike Dean is on VAR because we don’t have a good history with him, to be honest.”
The FA said his comments “constitute improper conduct in that they questioned the integrity of the VAR match official and/or implied bias and/or bring the game into disrepute”.
Hasenhuttl has until Tuesday to respond to the charge. — Reuters