Big Sam charged for ref fury

SAM ALLARDYCE has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after the Bolton boss made comments concerning referee Mike Riley following Bolton’s Premiership match against Blackburn on January 14.

Allardyce was fuming after Riley sent off Hidetoshi Nakata for two yellow cards. He said: “Nakata committed three fouls and got sent off; Robbie Savage committed three fouls and didn’t get booked. The statistics don’t stand up when Mike Riley referees us. He’s refereed us seven times, and we’ve had five players sent off - four in the first half. It’s blatant inconsistency - in my opinion simply not good enough.”