FA Charge Liverpool's No 1 and No 2 with Improper Conduct

By charging Liverpool's Rafa Benitez and Sammy Lee, the English FA show that they are serious about eliminating (or reducing) any inflammatory remarks from managers or players that intimidate or disrespect referees. The FA warned managers at the start of the season that any inflammatory remarks about officials in the build-up to games would lead to disciplinary measures.

[Referee Phil Dowd removes Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee from the technical area]

Even though Benitez and Lee made post-match comments about referee Phil Dowd and 4th official Stuart Attwell on 15 August 2009 during Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 win against Liverpool, the FA appears to want to reduce referee intimidation. This can only be good for referees.


References
Manager Benitez handed FA charge
Lee receives warning over conduct