Marco Silva has been charged with breaching Football Association rules after claiming that referee Sam Barrott wasn’t experienced enough to officiate Fulham’s game at Newcastle United last month.

The Fulham boss was furious that Raul Jimenez was sent off for a wild tackle but that Jamal Lascelles, who had elbowed the Mexican striker in the face, escaped any punishment. His trenchant criticism in the post-match interviews after Fulham’s 3-0 defeat has now seen him charged.

A statement from the FA this afternoon read:

“Fulham Football Club’s manager Marco Silva has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 following their Premier League game against Newcastle United on Saturday 16 December 2023. It’s alleged that his comments in the post-match media interviews following the fixture, constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of, and/or are insulting towards the match official and/or the Video Assistant Referee, an/or bring the game into disrepute.

Marco Silva has until Monday 8 January to provide a response.”