LuaLua charged with improper conduct

Portsmouth striker Lomana LuaLua has been charged with improper conduct for comments he made about referee Uriah Rennie after their defeat by Tottenham on December 12.

The Congo international laid into Rennie after the official awarded a controversial penalty with five minutes to go at White Hart Lane with the score at 1-1 in Harry Redknapp’s first match back as manager.

Mido scored from the spot after Rennie adjudged Gary O’Neil, who was standing in the defensive wall for Andy Reid’s free-kick, had deliberately handled the ball. Jermain Defoe then scored a late third.

“It does not help when the referee is playing for the other team,” said LuaLua afterwards.

“It should never have been a penalty and if it was not for that decision I think we would have got something from the game.”

LuaLua has until January 17 to respond to the FA charge.