Taggart on improper conduct charge

Gerry Taggart: improper conduct charge

Clubs also face FA action after Boundary Park flare-up
THE FA have charged Athletic assistant manager Gerry Taggart with improper conduct following his flare-up with several Carlisle players during the midweek match at Boundary Park.

Both clubs have also been slapped with mass confrontation charges for the flashpoint, which arrived seven minutes from time.

Referee Mark Haywood filed an ‘extraordinary incident’ report to the FA’s disciplinary unit after the game, who then reviewed footage of the incident and recommended charges be brought.

After a tussle between Athletic substitute Warren Feeney and Carlisle defender Lubo Michalik near the dug-outs, players from both sides piled in before Taggart got involved.

The former Northern Ireland international was then sent to the stands.

Visiting midfielder Tom Taiwo emerged from the melee with a bloody nose, although it is not clear how it was caused.

The away side won the match 1-0 through a Craig Curran strike in the 80th minute, in front of a bumper crowd of 8,564.

Taggart and both clubs have until 4pm on Tuesday to decide whether to accept or deny the charge.

The matter then goes to the FA Commission, a three-man panel made up of an independent chairman, a football expert and an FA Council member.

If found guilty of their offences, the Cumbrian outfit and Athletic would face financial penalties, while Taggart could be banned from the touchline and fined.

Athletic chief executive Alan Hardy said: “We will discuss these charges internally before deciding what course our defence should take.”

All parties will discover their fate by the end of next week.