Rival bosses David Wagner and Garry Monk facing touchline bans after being hit with FA misconduct charges

DAVID WAGNER and Garry Monk are facing possible touchline bans after today being charged by the Football Association over the ugly scenes that marred the end of Sunday's derby between Huddersfield Town and Leeds United.
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner (left) is sent to the stand by referee Simon Hooper.Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner (left) is sent to the stand by referee Simon Hooper.
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner (left) is sent to the stand by referee Simon Hooper.

The Terriers triumphed 2-1 thanks to an 89th minute strike by Michael Hefele that was followed by a clash between the two head coaches that soon turned into a melee involving both clubs’ staff and players.

Town and Leeds have been charged with failing to control their own players/officials, while Wagner is facing two charges of improper conduct after, first, invading the pitch to celebrate Hefele’s goal with his players and then becoming embroiled in the spat with his Leeds counterpart.

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Monk, meanwhile, is facing one charge over the same touchline clash and all parties have until Friday at 6pm to respond.

An FA spokesman said today: “Huddersfield Town and Leeds United have been charged following their game on 5 February 2017.

“It is alleged that in or around the 89th minute of the fixture, the two clubs failed to ensure their players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour, contrary to FA Rule E20(a).

“Both managers have also been charged in relation to the same game. Huddersfield’s David Wagner is subject to two alleged breaches of FA Rule E3 in that in or around the 89th minute, his behaviour in entering the field of play amounted to improper conduct.

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“It is further alleged his behaviour upon his return to the vicinity of the technical area amounted to improper conduct.

“It is alleged that Leeds’ Gary Monk breached FA Rule E3 in that in or around the 89th minute, his behaviour amounted to improper conduct.

“All parties have until 6pm on 10 February 2017 to respond to the charges.”

The FA, when deciding what punishments to hand out, is likely to take into account the previous record of the two head coaches and the two clubs.

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Monk has already served a one-game ban this season following his dismissal from the bench towards the end of September’s 1-0 defeat at Bristol City.

A month or so later, Wagner was also sent from the touchline after celebrating Elias Kachunga’s late winner against Derby County in a similar vein to last Sunday. He avoided further punishment from the FA.