Southampton star hit with FA charge for what he said to referee in Man Utd loss

Southampton defender Jack Stephens has been charged with misconduct by the FA following his straight red card in his side’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United.

The charge relates to alleged comments that the centre-back made to referee Stuart Attwell and fourth official Gavin Ward following a high challenge on Alejandro Garnacho, which led to Stephens’ early marching orders.

The Argentine went on to score United’s third goal of the afternoon off the bench, after efforts from Matthijs de Ligt and Marcus Rashford broke Southampton’s resolve, though the hosts had a first-half penalty that was saved by Andre Onana.

An FA spokesperson released a statement which confirmed Stephens’ charge, saying: “Jack Stephens has been charged with misconduct following Southampton’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday, 14 September.

“It’s alleged that the defender used abusive and/or insulting words towards both the match referee and fourth official around the 79th minute after he had been sent off. Jack Stephens has until Thursday, 19 September, to provide a response.”

Southampton head coach Russell Martin initially felt Stephens did not make contact with Garnacho, and also received a yellow card for his complaints, before changing his mind after seeing a replay.

Attwell’s on-field decision to award a straight red card was backed up by the VAR, who confirmed that Stephens had committed ‘serious foul play’ before arguing on his way down the tunnel.

The 30-year-old was adjudged to have made a dangerous tackle and has been given an automatic three-match ban as a result, which will begin in Southampton’s Carabao Cup match at Everton.

He will serve the remainder of his ban by missing the following matches against Ipswich and Bournemouth, before returning to face Arsenal next month.

Martin had complained about the process it took between the two match officials which led to Stephens’ red card, though had admitted that he was wrong about how much contact was made between the two players.

“The only thing I was annoyed about was the process of the fourth official and the ref looking at each other for ages and asking if they would give it,” he said in his post-match press conference.

“So that was my only frustration. I felt maybe he missed him during the game, but I think he’s made contact, so it is what it is.

“Gavin Ward made the decision, yeah. The fourth official. The comment was, ‘I would’. So it’s just like, we’ll just say it’s a red card. That’s the only thing annoying me. It shouldn’t even annoy me. It’s fine. I thought he reffed it well. They’re good guys and it’s a tough job.”