Toon boss Kinnear charged by FA over ‘Mickey Mouse’ jibe

NEWCASTLE boss Joe Kinnear could face an FA charge after being asked to explain his “Mickey Mouse” comments about referee Martin Atkinson.

Football Association disciplinary chiefs have written to the 61-year-old, who has a week to respond, and then a decision will be taken on whether further action is required.

Kinnear reacted furiously after Atkinson failed to award his side a free-kick in the run-up to Fulham’s decisive penalty in the 2-1 win over the Magpies at Craven Cottage on Sunday.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, he said: “Claudio Cacapa was on the ball and Andy Johnson completely pushes him out the way, nicks the ball and gets the penalty.

“We have got the Mickey Mouse referee doing nothing. He’s made an error that cost us.”

Ironically, Atkinson was also the official confronted by Sunderland boss Roy Keane at half-time at Stamford Bridge eight days earlier, an exchange which ultimately brought him an improper conduct charge.

It is not the first time Kinnear has been asked to explain himself after voicing his opinion of a referee.

He spent his first two games in charge at Newcastle watching from the stands as he served a two-match touchline ban dating back almost four years to his time in charge at Nottingham Forest.

The penalty was imposed after he, by his own admission, called another official “Coco the Clown”.

Kinnear has already received a letter from the FA this season reminding him of his responsibilities following the now infamous press conference in which he made his feelings towards sections of the press clear in his own inimitable fashion.

The development represents just another twist in the Tyneside soap opera on a day when the city awoke to read reports that the odds on former skipper Alan Shearer returning as manager plummeted amid suggestions that two American consortia are vying to buy out owner Mike Ashley.

However, sources close to Shearer were quick to insist he knew nothing about the rumours.

Kinnear has suggested the managerial picture will become clearer on Tyneside after the Chelsea game on November 22.