FA charge Newell over sexist comments

LONDON, Dec 6 (Reuters) Mike Newell, manager of English second division club Luton Town, has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after making sexist comments about a lineswoman last month.

The former Everton striker was severely reprimanded by the club after an outburst about lineswoman Amy Rayner and other female match officials following a 3-2 home defeat by Queens Park Rangers on November. 10.

Now he faces punishment by the FA.

''Newell has been charged with improper conduct to the extent that his comments related to assistant referee Amy Rayner personally, and with failing to act in the best interests of the game to the extent that his comments were made about the role of women match officials in football generally,'' an FA statement said today.

Newell sparked intense debate over sexism in British sport with his comments that ''it is bad enough with the incapable referees and linesman we have but if you start bringing in women, you have a big problem''.

He also said the decision to have women officials in second division matches was ''tokenism for politically correct idiots''.

Newell, who later apologised for his comments, has until December. 21 to respond to the charge.

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