(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
Cardiff defender Sol Bamba has been charged by The FA for alleged insulting and/or threatening behaviour in Saturday’s goalless draw at Ipswich.
The Bluebirds captain, 31, has already received a two-game ban for the incident, but now faces further time on the touchline if found guilty of the accusations.
Bamba was initially given his marching orders after reacting angrily to a tackle on him from Jonathan Douglas, but the fact he proceeded to confront the referee, the fourth official and even his manager Neil Warnock is what could land him in some hot water.
He has until 18:00 on Friday to respond to the charge, but will definitely be suspended for Saturday’s match at home to Barnsley, having already sat out of Cardiff’s comeback win against Wolves on Tuesday.
The Ivory Coast international has apologised for his actions, saying in a statement released by the Welsh club: “I want to apologise to the Cardiff City supporters, my team-mates and manager for my conduct during Saturday’s game at Ipswich.
“I’ve spoken to my manager and team-mates and apologised to them in person.
“I’ve had a fantastic time at Cardiff City since joining in October and I look forward to returning. My intention will then be to make further amends with my performances on the pitch.”
Nevertheless, despite the apology from his centre-back, Warnock is not refusing to rule out disciplinary action, and said after the game at Portman Road: “You can’t condone that [Bamba’s reaction].
“I’ve not seen that part of him before, but he was absolutely furious. He’ll get violent conduct and banned for three games and quite rightly so.
“He was a bit big for me. I could not get him around the neck. I’ll have to grow a bit. But he is distraught in there, and quite rightly so.”
