Hughes charged with improper conduct

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has been hit with a charge of improper conduct by the Football Association.

Hughes was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor after reacting furiously to the decision to book Marko Arnautovic for simulation during the first half of his side’s 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham.

The 52-year-old had earlier been angry that a foul on Jonathan Walters went unpunished, and confronted fourth official Jonathan Moss and assistant referee Peter Kirkup before being dismissed from the dugout.

“Mark Hughes has been charged with misconduct following Stoke City’s game against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday [10 September 2016],” an FA statement confirmed.

“It is alleged that his behaviour in or around the 34th minute of the fixture amounted to improper conduct.

“He has until 6pm on September 16 2016 to respond to the charge.”

Speaking after the match, Hughes suggested that Stoke were being singled out by officials over new regulations implemented this season.

The former striker felt aggrieved at the award of three controversial penalties in the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, after which he suggested that referee Mike Dean enjoyed the “attention” of being an official, and was upset by the awarding of a spot-kick against Everton in their 1-0 loss at Goodison Park.

“They seem to be vigilant and more of a stickler for the rules when Stoke City are involved, I think,” Hughes said.

“I was sent off because I came out of the technical area and waved my hands about. The Premier League doesn’t like that because of their image abroad. That’s what they’re trying to protect. That’s the reason the rule came in apparently.

“I watched the Manchester derby and it was a very good, passionate game. There was emotion on the sidelines. At one point I saw one of the managers step on the pitch and nothing was done about that. Clearly I went out of the technical area and they spotted that.

“This season I’ve been told about the new directives and I should have known better but emotion gets the better of you sometimes and that’s why I reacted. There’s a difference this year.”