Grant denies FA conduct charge

Grant denies the charge (Getty Images)

The West Ham manager Avram Grant has denied a charge of improper conduct. The charge relates to comments made about referee Mike Jones following the FA Cup defeat to Stoke on 13 March. A personal hearing will now be held no later than 7 April.

Grant was unhappy with Jones in the second half, which began with Stoke being awarded a penalty. Grant intimated he felt Jones had been swayed by the home fans after Frédéric Piquionne appeared to handle before the Hammers' opener in the first half.

Matthew Etherington missed the spot-kick but Grant intimated he felt that Jones had been swayed by the home fans after Frederic Piquionne appeared to handle in the lead-up to the Hammers' opener in the first half.