Coventry City face red card backlash as FA take action

Coventry City and Sheffield United have been charged by the Football Association after a half-time melee in their Sky Bet Championship clash last Saturday.

Blades defender Anel Ahmedhodzic was sent off just before the break after he grabbed Sky Blues forward Norman Bassette by the throat and pushed him to the floor, apparently in reaction to something the City player had said.

The FA has charged the clubs over what it describes as a “mass confrontation”, with players and staff from both City and United alleged to have behaved improperly or provocatively in the tunnel area at half-time. The clubs have until Thursday to submit their responses.

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United boss Chris Wilder said of the red card incident after the match: “We need to be more disciplined, evidently. I’ve got no issue with the red card, I’ve got no issue with the referee’s decision and Anel has fallen for the free card trick and that puts even more pressure on us in a tight game.

“He’s going to miss three games, internally we’re going to have to deal with it. The game is tough enough in this division, especially when you’re playing a top side.

“He (Bassette) touched Anel and then Anel’s done what he’s done. We’ve been mugged really, but Anel should know better.”

City’s interim head coach Rhys Carr responded by saying: “There’s an awful lot going on in the game, there’s certain moments like that between players all throughout the game.

“Norman’s certainly spirited, he’s a winner. Not sure what was said, what he did or didn’t do, but it provoked a reaction.”