Source: Daily_Mail
Avram Grant denies improper conduct charge
Under-fire: But Grant has denied the charge [LNB]West Ham manager Avram Grant has denied a charge of improper conduct. [LNB]The charge relates to comments made about referee Mike Jones following the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday, March 13. [LNB]A personal hearing will be scheduled at a date no later than April 7. [LNB]Followingthe 2-1 defeat, Grant was unhappy with Jones' handling of the second half, which began with Stoke being awarded a penalty just 13 seconds after the restart. [LNB]Matthew Etherington missed the spot-kick but Grant intimated he felt that Jones had been swayed by the home fans after Frederic Piquionne appeared to handle in the lead-up to the Hammers' opener in the first half. [LNB]'I think maybe this is the reason the referee started the second half very strange,' Grant said.[LNB] 'Until they scored (the second) goal he gave fouls, a penalty, everything for them. 'Maybe he felt a little bit guilty. I think it was the effect of the first goal for us.'[LNB] West Ham boss Grant charged by FA over outburst at Stoke refereeKeane reveals injury frustration as West Ham striker targets games - and goalsWest Ham United FC news, features and opinion
