Sandwich rant costs Wilder plenty of dough

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was fined £11,500 ($14,500) by the Football Association on Tuesday after a scathing attack on officials last month, that included taking aim at a sandwich-eating assistant referee.

Wilder claimed one of referee Tony Harrington’s assistants had shown a “complete lack of respect” by eating as he confronted the officials following a 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace.

“Every 50/50 or tight decision goes against us and if that’s what we’re going to have to deal with between now and the end of the season, we’re going to deal with it,” said Wilder at the time.

“But I’m not just going to go under the radar and not say anything. I’ve been to see the referee and I’ve told him that.

“One of his assistants was eating a sandwich at the time, which I thought was a complete lack of respect. Hopefully he enjoyed his sandwich while he was talking to a Premier League manager.”

The 56-year-old accepted a charge of improper conduct.

Sheffield United are staring at an immediate return to the Championship as they sit bottom of the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety.

A 5-0 hammering by Brighton on Sunday means the Blades have conceded more goals (65) after 25 games of a 38-match season than any other side in Premier League history.

kca/dmc

AFP

(NAMPA / AFP)