Frank Lampard expects to be banished to the stands on Monday night when Coventry City head to relegation battling Hull seeking to strengthen their grip on the Championship play-offs.
The head coach has been charged with misconduct by the FA following the 2-1 CBS Arena defeat to Burnley last weekend when he confronted referee James Bell.
It is alleged that Lampard acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards a match official around the field of play after the final whistle, which led to him being shown the red card. The Sky Blues boss has until Monday (14th April) to respond to the charge but has already confirmed that he’ll not be contesting it.
“I won’t appeal it because I won’t win,” he admitted, as he prepares to face a one-match touchline ban as punishment.
“I will miss Hull. That’s what I have heard today, although I can’t absolutely confirm that, but I think I will miss Hull.”
Asked if it’s fair to say that he was frustrated with the overall handling of the Burnley game, rather than angry at any one specific incident, Lampard – conscious of not getting himself into further trouble – said: “It was a very difficult match for that and the stadium felt how that game went.”
The City boss did, however, want to address one incident in the game, namely that his team had been given the first goal wrongly due to Haji Wright being off-side – something that was confirmed by replays.
But the 46-year-old said: “To be clear, Haji’s off-side goal was a hand ball by Burnley’s Connor Roberts just before that when Ephron (Mason-Clark) hit a shot. Connor Roberts actually said it to Ephron at the end of the game, so if the referee sees that then it’s a penalty and maybe a card, I don’t know.
“So before anyone goes, ‘oh you had an off-side goal…’ that would have been a penalty and I am pretty sure that when the referee board or whatever goes over the goals and what went against us – and we’re down on that this season, down by quite a few decisions – on critical goal decisions – so I hope that they note that.
“The rest I am not going to talk about because I don’t want to get in trouble. It’s not about me missing Hull. I want to be there (on the touchline) on the night but I know that I won’t be. I think there are bigger things here to improve, but that’s the last thing I will say (on the matter).”
What the touchline ban means for Lampard on the night:
The City boss will be sat in the stands. He cannot position himself in or behind the area of the dugout, or any barrier adjacent to the touchline or goal line. This is done to prevent managers from communicating directly with the players during the match.
However, he can give a pre-match team talk and can be in the dressing room at half-time. He can also pass on information for their assistants to relay during the game, albeit via a phone.
Meanwhile, Lampard will be able to complete pre and post-match media duties but he won’t be able to do a touchline interview as the rules outline that coaches are not allowed to be pitchside two hours before or after.
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