FA asks Warnock to explain comments on Cup referee

| Wednesday February 17, 2010 00:00

The 61-year-old called for assistant referee Trevor Massey to be banned for incorrectly awarding a corner that led to Villa scoring a late equaliser.

'I hope he is suspended for a long time,' said Warnock after the game. Warnock could face an improper conduct charge and has until 23 February to respond to the Football Association.

An FA spokesperson said: 'We have asked Neil Warnock for his observations regarding his media comments.'

Palace led 2-1 at Selhurst Park when the ball appeared to go out of play off Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso, but Massey chose to award a corner, believing the ball to have last hit Palace frontman Alan Lee.

From the corner, midfielder Stiliyan Petrov powered home a header to earn Villa a replay on Wednesday 24 February and deny cash-strapped Palace a place in the sixth round. Following the match, Warnock said: 'Their second goal was a disgrace.

We gave everything and in the end we were let down by incompetence. The referee had a great game. He was let down by somebody who had a very poor game.'

After reflecting on his comments, Warnock told BBC Radio 5 live on Monday he hoped Massey would be banned for two or three games.

'I hate officials smiling when they've done something wrong - it really bugs me,' he said.  'They have to realise the importance of concentrating at that level for the 90 minutes and not just a period.'

In the lively fifth-round FA Cup clash Palace took the lead through a Johnny Ertl header, before James Collins equalised, and then Darren Ambrose's free-kick looked to have secured a famous victory for the London side.

With Palace advertised for sale in the Financial Times and being docked 10 points in the Championship after going into administration, the replay - which is being televised - may actually prove to be a financial boost.

Warnock conceded on Sunday: 'We wanted to take them back there [Villa Park] if we are honest.  Let's get up there and then get on with the league.'

The winner of the replay will face an away tie against Reading or West Brom in the last eight. (BBC)