Fulham’s Marco Silva charged by FA after criticising ‘strange and poor’ refereeing in Newcastle defeat

Marco Silva has been charged with alleged improper conduct by the FA for his comments about referee Sam Barrott following Fulham’s loss to Newcastle United.

It is alleged the comments “imply bias and/or question the integrity of, and/or are insulting towards the match official, and/or bring the game into disrepute”.

Silva said Barrott was not “experienced” enough to officiate his side’s match against Newcastle on December 16 and described the 30-year-old referee’s performance as “strange”.

The Fulham head coach has until Monday, January 8 to respond to the charges.

Fulham suffered a 3-0 defeat at St. James’ Park, going down to 10 men in the 22nd minute following a challenge from striker Raul Jimenez on Sean Longstaff.

Barrott, officiating his eighth Premier League match, dismissed Jimenez after consultation with VAR Michael Salisbury. Silva admitted that he could accept the red card decision but complained about the referee’s game management, and that a challenge beforehand from Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles on Jimenez, involving an elbow, went unpunished.

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“In my opinion, it was a strange and poor performance from the referee from the first minute until the last,” Silva said post-match. “I’m not talking about the red card. But all the circumstances, the way he managed the game.

“He gave the first foul for Fulham in the 21st minute. It was really strange. All the challenges until the red card, on Fulham, were to keep going. (Challenges on Newcastle), everything was a foul.

“Before the red card, there was a clear elbow from Lascelles on Raul. Clear elbow. They go to VAR. It’s not even a foul. I’m not saying it should be a red card. They didn’t stop to check, it’s strange, but it is a clear foul.

“For a team to come to St. James’ Park, to handle the pressure, to face Newcastle. Their results speak for themselves. We have to be brave enough, we have to have experience. We felt it was a moment to match them.

“At the same time, you need referees with experience. With ability to handle the pressure. In my opinion that didn’t happen.”

Asked to clarify if he felt the referee was not experienced enough, Silva said: “It’s clear. No doubts about it.”

Mikel Arteta faced a similar FA charge for his comments following Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Newcastle in November but avoided a ban after an independent commission found the charge to not be proven.

Fulham return to action on Friday when they host Rotherham United in the FA Cup third round.

(Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images)