Warnock To Plead Guilty On FA Misconduct Charge

Neil Warnock will plead guilty to a Football Association misconduct charge and expects to be fined £2,000.

The Bluebirds manager says he feels betrayed over the charge, but is following advice from the League Managers Association.

“The LMA say I’ve got no option but to plead guilty and get fined £2,000,” Warnock said at his press conference before Cardiff’s Sky Bet Championship game against Hull on Saturday (5.30pm).

“I’m disappointed but I’ve got to accept what the League Managers say, although I would have preferred a personal hearing.

“I feel betrayed because I said these things to the fourth official, Andy Woolmer, who I’ve known many years and been one of his biggest fans about his refereeing.

“I said things to him during the game and he must have written all these things down from the first minute.

“I find that very unusual for a fourth official to write notes down like this.

“It’s those comments that I’ve made to him personally that has been used against me.

“I don’t think they were offensive with the way I talk to him (Woolmer). I didn’t say it to Sky TV, to the radio or the media – I said it to someone who is not a young referee and I’ve been supportive of for many years.”

Warnock also expressed his concerns that referee Steve Martin took charge at Reading after being the fourth official at Cardiff’s previous game against Norwich.

“I don’t think that’s an advantage to us at all and I’ve written to the LMA asking can we ask that this doesn’t happen,” Warnock said.

“I don’t think we should have someone fourth official one week alongside us and then he’s refereeing us the next week.

“I think that’s totally out of order in the modern game where we are supposed to be professional.”

Warnock was sent off in the 78th-minute of Cardiff’s 2-2 draw at Reading on Monday following a touchline exchange with fourth official Andy Woolmer.

The 69-year-old described his dismissal as ‘a travesty’ but has pleaded guilty to the FA charge after speaking to the League Managers’ Association.

Warnock added Cardiff had compiled a video of several incidents they felt ‘went against them’ at Reading, which has sent been to the LMA and The Referees’ Association for feedback.

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