FA to take action after fiery Frank Lampard bust-up in Southampton vs Coventry – ex-PGMOL chief
Frank Lampard was at the centre of some ugly post-match scenes following Coventry City’s 1-1 draw with Southampton on Saturday.
Jay Dasilva was sent off against Southampton just after the break, with the Sky Blues forced to play the second half with 10 men.
Nathan Wood found the leveller for the home side, but a strong defensive display saw the visitors hold on for a point.
Lampard has been linked away from Coventry in recent weeks, but the Englishman’s actions after the final whistle demonstrated his commitment.
The 47-year-old pumped his fists towards the away end and steamed onto the pitch before engaging in a confrontation with Taylor Harwood-Bellis, in a moment that triggered a brawl between both teams.
Keith Hackett demands FA involvement
Coventry are expected to achieve promotion from the Championship this season, and Saturday’s point may well prove crucial at the end of the campaign.
The Sky Blues faced huge pressure in the second half, and the scenes at the final whistle underlined how tense an affair it had been.
| Southampton | Match stats | Coventry City |
| 60% | Possession | 40% |
| 23 | Shots | 8 |
| 7 | On target | 4 |
| 1.32 | Expected goals (xG) | 0.48 |
| 2 | Big chances | 1 |
Harwood-Bellis and Lampard‘s initial confrontation looked to have been snuffed out quickly, but the head coach sought out the defender for further words before pumping his fists towards the home fans.
When Wellington attempted to respond to the Coventry coach, a member of Lampard’s technical staff stopped him, and a brawl ensued.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett said: “Frank Lampard appeared to be on the pitch when, at the end of another game, we see a confrontation between players and some technical staff.
“Another investigation for the FA, and I’ve got no doubt another fine. Somehow, the game needs to tidy up its image and the FA and the authorities generally have got to try and stop these confrontations.
“The only way I suggest is, first of all, managers don’t go on the pitch, referees, keep an eye, as we used to do, on players leaving the field of play. And then, as they can, get involved and issue red and yellow cards.”
Frank Lampard explains post-match scenes
Lampard explained after the game that his reaction was largely down to the reception he had received from the home fans.
“I was probably emotional,” he said. “The fans had given me a bit in the last 10 minutes and I went on the pitch to give them a bit back.
“It was really out of order but I wouldn’t have had as long in this game if I wasn’t sometimes emotional on the pitch, and not a bad bloke off it. I was very proud of the players and then it got a bit heated.”
The Coventry boss will likely face repercussions for his actions in the coming weeks, with the possibility of a touchline ban to be discovered.