Derby manager Frank Lampard accepts FA improper conduct charge
Monday 29 April 2019 15:32, UK
Derby County manager Frank Lampard has accepted his FA charge for improper conduct and paid the fine after he confronted referee Simon Hooper after their 2-2 draw at Birmingham on April 19.
Lampard was incensed that Hooper failed to award a penalty to the Rams in the game at St Andrew's and was unhappy after accusing the official of refusing to acknowledge him when he went to speak to him at the final whistle.
"I've accepted it and written some of my thoughts back to the FA and we'll wait and see," Lampard said of the FA charge at his news conference ahead of Derby's Sky Bet Championship game with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday night.
When asked if he had 'reluctantly accepted' the charge, Lampard added: "Just accepted it. I spoke about it a lot the other day and [have] no more to say, we'll see."
Speaking after the game against Birmingham, Lampard admitted he was unhappy after accusing the official of refusing to acknowledge him when he went to speak to him at the final whistle.
"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," he said.
"I'd rather a strong answer to my face, and I didn't get that."
Derby occupy the final Sky Bet Championship play-off place, level on 70 points with seventh-placed Middlesbrough but with a superior goal-difference, ahead of their trip to south Wales.
