The charge is relating to his reaction after their draw with Cambridge United…
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been charged for ‘alleging or implying bias’ from a referee, reports the Daily Telegraph.
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The charges are related to comments made by the Dutchman after the Red Devils’ draw with Cambridge United, with the FA clearly feeling that there was an insinuation that official Chris Foy was working against them throughout the FA Cup fourth round match. The 63-year-old now has until 6pm on Monday to respond to the accusation.
“We know in advance everything is against us,” Van Gaal said after the 0-0 stalemate. “We have to come here, the pitch is not so good but that can influence also that you play in another style and the opponents are always giving a lot more than normally and defending is always easier than attacking.
He added, “And then you have seen the referee, it’s always the same. Everywhere I have coached these games, and I have coached them with other clubs it’s always the same.”
It is not mentioned what the punishment could be for these comments, but both fines and touchline bans have been given for criticising referees in the past.
The FA released a statement saying, “Louis van Gaal has been charged by The FA for media comments he made after Manchester United’s FA Cup Fourth Round match against Cambridge United on Friday 23 January 2015.
“It is alleged that the Manchester United manager’s comments allege and/or imply bias on the part of the match referee and/or bring the game into disrepute. He has until 6pm on Monday 9 February 2015 to respond to the charge.”
Journalists reacted angrily to the charge, suggesting that Van Gaal’s comments were heat-of-the-moment frustration rather than actually suggesting bias on Foy’s behalf.
Totally pathetic of @FA to charge Van Gaal. He was just in a huff at the Abbey, complaining about everything, not insinuating bias. #mufc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 4, 2015
If managers going to get charged for this sort of flippant comment, there's a risk they'll just turn around at sme pt & say I'm not talking
— James Ducker (@DuckerTheTimes) February 4, 2015
News still sinking in at Old Trafford. No decision yet on appeal. Can't imagine one is far off… #mufc
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) February 4, 2015
I thought the charge against Mourinho for post-match comments was also harsh. We want them to be interesting then punish them when they are!
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) February 4, 2015
The Red Devils eventually progressed to the fifth round of the competition after beating their lower league rivals 3-0 in a replay at Old Trafford. However, it may well have come with a cost.