Neil Warnock: FA charges Crystal Palace boss with misconduct

Neil Warnock is in his second spell as Crystal Palace manager

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock has been charged with misconduct for comments he made following the defeat to Chelsea on Saturday.

Warnock said that referee Craig Pawson was "influenced" by Chelsea players during the Blues' 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.

The Football Association said in a statement that Warnock had "implied the match referee was motivated by bias".

The 65-year-old has until 18:00 GMT on Monday to respond to the charge.

The FA statement said: "It is alleged that Warnock's post-match comments constituted improper conduct in that they implied the match referee was motivated by bias; and/or brought the game into disrepute, in contravention of FA Rule E3 1/81 3/8."

Warnock was referring to an incident where Palace's Damien Delaney was sent off three minutes after Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpilicueta was dismissed for a two-footed challenge.

Delaney had already been booked for a foul on Loic Remy when he tangled with the France striker and was shown a second yellow card.

Warnock said after the game: "The one thing I've not missed when I've been doing media work is refereeing performances like that.

"I thought he (Pawson) was influenced today.

"For the second booking Remy dives and then you have four Chelsea players surrounding the referee. I thought those days were gone - banned."