Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has been charged by the FA following his scathing criticism of referee Andy Davies following last month's defeat to QPR.
Pearson was fuming with a series of decisions by the official, which he branded "awful", after watching his side succumb to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Ashton Gate.
He claimed Alex Scott was denied a clear first-half penalty and also bemoaned the decision to award QPR a corner that led to the Hoops' winner.
Pearson said: "We came across a strong team and some dodgy refereeing. We should’ve had another penalty. The decisions were awful and I’ve told him that.
"I hope the next time we see him he’s on the park because that’s where he should be.
"How the assistant didn’t see it (the Scott penalty call). Look, we had it all on playing against 11 when we had 10 but the decisions just continued to be awful. It was a terrible performance by them (the officials).
"I’m not someone who moans a lot but let me tell you, that was awful today, and I told him as well."
The FA have today issued a statement charging the 58-year-old 'with a breach of FA Rule E3.1'.
It read: "It is alleged that comments made during his post-match interview were improper and/or insulting and/or bring the game into disrepute. He has until Friday 14 January 2022 to provide a response."
Pearson has remained relatively tight-lipped over criticism of match officials during his tenure at Bristol City but struggled to keep his cool moments after Yoann Barbet's winner.
The contest also saw captain Andy King see red for two bookable offences, the first for dissent, and later cited his frustration over the decision-making in the game.
Davies was a late replacement for the game at Ashton Gate after Andy Woolmer had originally been confirmed as the match official. Bristol Live understands the change was made due to illness.
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