TATE FACES FA PROBE
SCUFFLE COULD MEAN BAN:
SWANSEA City coach Alan Tate could potentially face a touchline ban after a heated clash with Birmingham City midfielder Jon Toral.
The pair clashed as both teams headed towards the tunnel at the end of the first half of Saturday’s game, with Tate appearing to grab the Spaniard by his neck.
Toral then fell to the floor, sparking a fracas involving players and staff of both teams.
Tate received no action at the time, and was free to take his place on the touchline for the second half as both teams played out a frustrating 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium.
However, Tate could yet face retrospective action, with the Football Association confirming that they will be looking into the incident.
A source at the FA says they will be offering guidance and reviewing the referee’s report of the clash as part of standard post-match protocols, before deciding whether to launch a formal investigation and possible disciplinary action.
It’s understood a decision on appropriate action is likely to be made by the end of today.
Swansea boss Steve Cooper and opposite number Aitor Karanka both said they had not seen the incident at the time.
Cooper said after the game: “It certainly didn’t carry on down the tunnel because I went down there. “Afterwards it was fine – no dramas.” Swansea are unbeaten after their first two Championship games – they began the season with a 1-0 victory at Preston – and make the trip to Wycombe Wanderers, who crashed 5-0 at Blackburn last time out, on Saturday.