Souness hit by disrepute charge

Everton 2-0 Newcastle

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has been charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the Football Association.

The FA has taken action after Souness' comments in the wake of his side's 2-0 defeat by Everton in Newcastle's penultimate game of the season.

The Magpies boss was heavily crictical of the performance of referee Barry Knight - in a game in which Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi was sent off.

Souness has until 6 June to respond to the charge.

Knight was also the referee when the Tyneside club's midfielders Kieron Dyer and Lee Bowyer had their infamous on-pitch brawl against Aston Villa on 2 April.

He dismissed the duo but Souness was critical of a penalty award that Knight had given in that game, which he believes helped lead to Dyer and Bowyer scuffling.

Souness stated after the Everton game that Knight had apologised to right-back Stephen Carr for giving the spot-kick against Villa.

The Newcastle manager was also critical of the free-kick Knight gave to Everton, which led to the Merseysiders' first goal.