Nelsen charged with improper conduct
Tuesday, 3 January 2006 12:13Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after accusing referee Mark Halsey of having a nice track record of dismissing Blackburn players.
His comments were made following Blackburn's 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Barclays Premiership on December 3, a match in which Rovers had skipper Andy Todd sent off for a handball offence.
Rovers were incensed with the decision, as Todd made minimal contact, but Halsey decided he had prevented a goal scoring opportunity.
Nelsen remarked at how it was the same referee that had dismissed Zurab Khizanishvili earlier in the season.
He said at the time: "The sending-off changed the game, but it happened with the same referee against Liverpool. He cost us points in that game and he's cost us points in this game as well. For some reason he likes giving red cards to us."
The FA decided Nelsen has a case to answer, stating: "The comments implied bias by the match officials."
New Zealand international Nelsen, a 28-year-old who joined the club from DC United last January, has until January 17 to respond to the FA charge.
