Jamie Vardy set to miss two games for Leicester after being charged with improper conduct following his red card reaction
Leicester
must continue their push for the title without talisman striker Jamie
Vardy, who looks set to miss at least two games after being charged by
the FA.
On
the same day as Spurs closed the gap at the top of the table, Vardy
learned of the FA’s decision following his red card and subsequent
behaviour towards the referee, Jon Moss, against West Ham on Sunday.
Top
scorer Vardy has until 6pm on Thursday to respond after referee Moss
reported him. He is contemplating an appeal against this charge of
improper conduct.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy has been charged by the FA over his angry reaction to being sent off
The England international was controversially shown a second yellow card for a dive in the second-half
Vardy looks incredulous after being denied a penalty and picking up a second caution for simulation
Vardy
was furious at being deemed to have dived to pick up a second booking
in the 56th minute, jabbing a finger at Moss and appearing to swear.
But
the England international left the field relatively quickly and may
feel he can escape an extra match ban that would see him miss the
crucial trip to Manchester United on May 1.
He will take stock over the next 24 hours.
PFA
Player of the Year nominee Vardy is already banned for the game against
Swansea on Sunday as a result of his first red card since joining the
club, and being absent for the match at Old Trafford would be a huge
blow to manager Claudio Ranieri as he strives to lead his team to the
Premier League title.
Leicester have also been charged for failing to control their players after West Ham were awarded late penalty
Diego Costa (right) received an extra one-game ban for his reaction to being sent off against Everton
Vardy’s importance to Leicester cannot be underestimated, having previously started every game of the campaign.
He
scored the opening goal against West Ham to take his tally to 22 and
has also provided six assists in the Premier League this season. This
type of FA charge usually ends with an extended ban. Chelsea’s Diego
Costa received a one-game suspension after admitting the offence in
March.
Arsenal
defender Gabriel suffered the same punishment for refusing to leave the
field when sent off against Chelsea in September. He too admitted his
charge at a personal hearing.
Claudio Ranieri defended Vardy after the game, but would not be drawn over the referee's decisions
West Ham striker Andy Carroll has been asked to explain his public criticism of Moss in writing
In
the absence of Vardy, boss Ranieri is likely to pair Leonardo Ulloa and
Shinji Okazaki up front against Swansea. They have only been on the
pitch together for a total of 11 minutes this season. Ranieri has also
looked at using pacey winger Jeff Schlupp as a striker.
The
FA have also charged Leicester over their players’ response to Moss
awarding West Ham a penalty for Wes Morgan holding Winston Reid, while
also writing to West Ham’s Andy Carroll to ask for an explanation of his
post-match comments about Moss, who the striker accused of ‘trying to
even it up’ when he awarded a late penalty to the Foxes.
If the FA deem the comments to have questioned Moss’s integrity, Carroll is likely to face a fine rather than a ban.
In Vardy's absence, Leicester are likely to pair Leonardo Ulloa (above) with Shinji Okazaki up front
BBC
presenter Gary Lineker branded the FA’s decision to charge Vardy
ridiculous, insisting the move was not a consistent response over the
duration of the season.
'Don't
be ridiculous,’ he wrote on Twitter. 'Perhaps while they're at it they
might rescind the first yellow card.’ Vardy was initially booked for a
foul Cheikhou Kouyate despite not actually touching the West Ham player.
Lineker
added on Vardy’s outburst following his second yellow for a dive in the
box: 'On Vardy, I never condone dissent at decisions, but it happens in
every game. You can't just single out one player. Has to be same for
all.
'Players
should be punished for any kind of abuse of referees. Immediate yellow
card. Said this for years. If this is the start then great.’