Keith Hackett: EFL to act on Frank Lampard amid concern after Coventry vs Leeds
Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is likely to be warned by the EFL after his actions during his side’s defeat to Leeds United, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that authorities are becoming concerned about players and managers making gestures towards opposition fans.
There was a sense Lampard had taken a risk for his managerial career when he returned to the dugout to take charge of the Sky Blues back in November.
However, despite some poor results to begin with that mounted the pressure on Lampard, the former Chelsea and England midfielder has steered Coventry away from the relegation zone to the point where they are now among the contenders for the Championship play-offs places.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United beat Coventry 2-0
With the Sky Blues looking to maintain their push for a place in the top six, their efforts were dealt a blow on Wednesday night with a defeat to Leeds.
Goals from Joel Piroe and Jayden Bogle in the first half were enough to condemn Lampard’s Coventry side to a 2-0 loss on home soil.
Lampard has history of rivalry with Leeds fans from his time in charge of Derby County, and he was targeted with taunts from the visiting supporters during the match.
He appeared to respond to those supporters by approaching them at full-time, and cupping his ears in their direction.
The Premier League plan to come down hard on players mocking and gesturing to opposition fans, and Hackett believes the EFL will take a similar view with Lampard here.
EFL to warn Frank Lampard over gesture – Keith Hackett
Speaking to Football Insider about Lampard’s gesture to the travelling Leeds support, the former referee said:
“Clearly the authorities are concerned about both players and managers making gestures towards spectators.
“I [would] not be surprised if Frank Lampard after the Leeds Coventry game, where he went to the Leeds fans and cupped his ears, has been written to by the EFL.
“I guess this [would be] a warning rather than asking him for his observations.”
Defeat to Leeds leaves Lampard and his Coventry side 11th in the Championship table, three points adrift of the play-offs places.
By contrast Daniel Farke’s side are five points clear at the top of the standings as they aim to secure promotion back to the Premier League.