Hughes and the club are calling for more consistency from match officials
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes
Stoke City have announced that Mark Hughes will not contest the FA’s improper conduct charge but that they are concerned there is “an inconsistent approach” by match officials when managers leave their technical area.
Hughes was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor after taking issue with the decision to book winger Marko Arnautovic for diving.
Taylor cautioned Arnautovic but was then called over to send Hughes to the stands after he appeared to direct verbal abuse at the fourth official.
Austria’s Marko Arnautovic looks dejected at the end of the match
To further add to the manager’s frustration, Hughes then experienced difficulties when trying to communicate with the remaining staff in the technical area.
After the match, the FA released a statement, charging Hughes with “improper conduct” as a result of his behaviour at the home match, where the Potters lost 4-0 to Tottenham.
Now the club have released a formal statement to announce that Hughes will not be contesting the charges but will be raising several issues with the FA.
The statement reads: “The club is concerned in particular that there has been a potentially inconsistent approach in the enforcement by match officials in instances of managers leaving their technical areas, together with an incorrect application of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited’s own guidance note on the use of electronic equipment in the technical area in respect of a manager communicating with technical staff from the directors’ seating area after Mark was dismissed.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes
“The club will be raising these issues with the Football Association and the [PGMOL] separately.”
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Crystal Palace this weekend, Mark Hughes said: “It rubbed a little bit of salt in the wounds, but listen, you’ve heard the club’s response, and that mirrors my feelings.
“There is no point in appealing because if you appeal and lose, which more often than not you do, then it costs you more money, and I would prefer to give that to my grandchildren.”
The FA have yet to set the penalty for Hughes but will no doubt do so ahead of Sunday’s match at Crystal Palace.
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes in the stands
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