Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will not contest FA charges

Turner was shown a straight red by referee Mariner at Eastlands

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has said he will not contest a Football Association charge of improper conduct but has requested a personal hearing.

Bruce was charged over comments made about referee Andre Marriner following Michael Turner's red card in December's 4-3 defeat by Manchester City.

Bruce told the Sunderland Echo: "I have accepted the charge of disrepute and I have decided not to fight it.

"But I have asked to go down there to give my mitigation face-to-face."

Bruce added: "Hopefully it will be worthwhile to at least explain things from my point of view."

The former Wigan boss was frustrated by the sending-off of defender Turner following a clash with City's Gareth Barry.

"The red was obscene. He'll miss three games unless the ref has the guts to rescind it," Bruce said after the game.

Sunderland appealed against Turner's ban but their case was dismissed and the suspension increased to four games.

The former Hull defender will serve the final instalment of his ban on Saturday when they face Chelsea.