Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was charged by the Football
Association with improper conduct on Tuesday arising out of
comments he made about the referee after last month's 4-3 loss to
Manchester City.
Bruce was furious that Andre Marriner awarded Man City a
penalty and also sent off Sunderland center back Michael Turner for
a clash with Gareth Barry during the Dec. 19 Premier League game at
the City of Manchester Stadium.
In a post-game TV interview, Bruce described both incidents
as "a joke" and said he had complained about Marriner in the past.
"I'm absolutely seething because I actually did write to
(referees' general manager) Keith Hackett about six weeks ago
complaining about Andre Marriner's performance when he sent off
Kenwyne Jones," Bruce said.
"The sending off, the penalty, they are a joke. All you need
... is the referee to do his job. Everybody in the ground could see
as far as I'm concerned that both players, Barry and Turner, went
into the shuddering challenge."
