Thursday 25 April 2019 12:16, UK
Frank Lampard says he is "surprised" to have been charged with improper conduct by the FA for confronting a referee, who he accuses of failing to acknowledge him.
The Derby manager approached referee Simon Hooper following Derby's draw with Birmingham last week over his failure to award the Rams a penalty.
The FA alleges "Lampard's language and/or behaviour on the field of play after the conclusion of the fixture amounts to improper conduct", but, in response, the former Chelsea midfielder said: "I'm surprised.
"It was very clear on the day that we should have had a penalty towards the end of the game. That was my frustration.
"If you ask any manager in the league, even the most mild mannered, what we ask for is some interaction with the referee as to why a decision did or didn't go for us. I wasn't acknowledged at all, which probably frustrated me at the time.
"It lasted a very short period of time. I would love to walk in the tunnel after every game and happily move on with my life and not be worried that we're fighting for the play-offs, but it didn't work that way.
"It was a very human reaction from me and I think there was very little in it, considering the incident that happened.
"I think it was a clear penalty and the referee will know that having now looked back. I'm disappointed."
Lampard says he has not decided whether he will contest the charge, and added: "A lot of heated conversations happen in football. Referees are a big part of the game now, so they have to interact.
"I don't think they can turn their face to you when you're trying to ask a question, even when you're asking it in a fairly strong manner. I'd rather a strong answer to my face, and I didn't get that."
Derby travel to Bristol City on Saturday with both sides pushing for a place in the Championship play-offs. The Rams are sixth but hold just a one point advantage over the Robins, who are eighth with three games remaining.
Lampard said: "It's a huge game, for both clubs. We can't understate that.
"Three games in the Championship is a lot of football, so to say we're in the driving seat is a bit early because it's so close."
