Latics wait for Taggart verdict
Reporter: Matthew Chambers
Date published: 17 February 2011
OFF YOU GO . . . Gerry Taggart receives his marching orders from referee Mark Haywood.
ATHLETIC officials were braced for an FA misconduct charge for assistant manager Gerry Taggart today, as the fall-out from the Carlisle conflict continued.
A spokesperson for the governing body confirmed this morning that they were "investigating" the incident which saw Athletic's assistant manager become embroiled in a scuffle between players near to the home dug-out at Boundary Park on Tuesday night.
Taggart was sent off, though it remains to be seen what possible punishment — if any — arises. An announcement was expected today.
A touchline ban may come into effect for the 40-year-old and Paul Dickov's right-hand man could pick up a fine.
The FA will also examine the match DVD to determine whether to take action against Carlisle centre-back Lubo Michalik, whose alleged stamp on Warren Feeney sparked the trouble.
Aside from removing Taggart from the dug-out, the only action referee Mark Haywood took was to call the respective captains Chris Taylor and Frank Simek together in an appeal to calm the volatile situation.
Meanwhile, Dale Stephens looks set to miss Saturday's game at Bristol Rovers as Athletic bid to get back to winning ways to invigorate their play-off push in npower League One.
The midfielder is still absent from training with a virus and, though he is getting better, may not be risked at the Memorial Ground.
Athletic's two most recent matches were the only ones this season not to feature Stephens in the heart of midfield.
The Bristol Rovers game is followed by a series of difficult fixtures against promotion hopefuls.
A visit to Milton Keynes Dons awaits next Tuesday, Peterborough visit Boundary Park on Saturday week and seven days after that, Athletic are away at Bournemouth.
