Louis van Gaal to contest FA charge

 

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he will contest a Football Association disrepute charge over comments he made after last month's FA Cup trip to Cambridge United.

Van Gaal was charged by the governing body for remarks which 'allege and/or imply bias on the part of the match referee and/or bringing the game into disrepute'.

After the match at the Abbey Stadium, which ended 0-0, van Gaal said: "You have seen the referee. It's always the same. Everywhere I have coached these games - and I have coached them also with other clubs - it's always the same."

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, he said: "I am not angry, I am very disappointed. For nearly 30 years, I have been a trainer, coach or manager and I have never been charged."

"Up to now, I don't think I said something wrong. I said in our press conference the same phrases, because I know in advance that everything is in favour of the underdog. It is always like that."

"I said it in front of the game and after the game, only in the meaning that that is the general feeling of everybody - everybody for the underdog. I cannot imagine the FA has charged me, but it is like that."

Asked if he was contesting the charge, van Gaal said: "Yes, of course. I never said anything wrong. I never say something about the referee, never."

Manchester United won the replay 3-0 earlier this week to book a sixth round tie at Preston on February 16.

...SkySports