Crystal Palace's Neil Warnock charged for FA Cup blast

Warnock faced further frustration at Villa Park

Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock has been charged with improper conduct for his comments in the wake of 14 February's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Warnock called for assistant referee Trevor Massey to be banned for wrongly awarding a corner that led to a late Villa equaliser in the FA Cup tie.

"I hope he is suspended for a long time," said Warnock.

Warnock, who has been strongly linked with the manager's role at Queens Park Rangers, has until 12 March to respond.

"We were let down by incompetence. The referee had a great game. He was let down by somebody who had a very poor game," said Warnock immediately after the fifth-round match.

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After reflecting on his comments, Warnock told BBC Radio 5 live on Monday 15 February that he hoped Massey would be banned for two or three games.

"I hate officials smiling when they've done something wrong - it really bugs me," he said.

Palace had led 2-1 at Selhurst Park when the ball appeared to go out of play off Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso.

But Massey chose to award a corner, believing the ball to have last hit Palace frontman Alan Lee.

From the corner, midfielder Stiliyan Petrov powered home a header to earn Villa a replay.

The Football Association gave Warnock a week to explain his comments before charging the 61-year-old.

Palace subsequently lost 3-1 in a replay at Villa Park with the hosts scoring their opener from another questionable corner.

Their Cup run had provided Palace, currently lying 22nd, with a diversion from their Championship relegation battle.

The south London club were docked 10 points after slipping into administration in January with debts of approximately £30m.

Teenage striker Victor Moses and defender Jose Fonte were offloaded during the transfer window, and it appears that Warnock may follow them out of the club.

When asked after his future after the Villa defeat, the former Sheffield United manager refused to discuss remaining at Palace beyond Saturday's match away to Doncaster.