Coleman said Bennett was "very friendly" towards Chelsea's players

Coventry boss Chris Coleman has requested a personal hearing with the Football Association.

The Welshman was charged with improper conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute over comments he made after the FA Cup defeat by Chelsea.

Coleman had criticised referee Steve Bennett's performance in the game, which the Sky Blues lost 2-0.

Coleman described Bennett as "smug" and claimed the referee was "very friendly" towards some of the Chelsea players.

"I was disappointed with him, as were my players - his attitude towards us and towards them," Coleman said after the game on 7 March.

"That is not why we lost but he was smug towards us, the way he was talking to my players, my senior players."

Coleman is not the first manager to complain about the relationship some referees have with players from big clubs.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray spoke out after his side's Premier League defeat by Manchester United on 29 January.

And, after seeing Stoke beaten by Sunderland on 7 February, Potters manager Tony Pulis claimed some referees punish smaller clubs more harshly.

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