Moyes warned over ref remarks

Everton manager David Moyes was warned Monday by the Football Association (FA) regarding his future conduct following remarks made after October’s Merseyside derby with Liverpool that ended with his side reduced to nine men.

Liverpool won the match 2-1 at Goodison Park after Everton duo Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville were sent off.

The home side also said they should have had a late penalty for a foul on Joleon Lescott by Jamie Carragher.

Afterwards, Moyes criticised the performance of referee Mark Clattenburg and also suggested Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard had helped Hibbert get sent-off, saying: “The referee pulled out a yellow card and then the Liverpool captain has a word with him and it becomes a red.”

Moyes was found guilty of improper conduct by an FA disciplinary commission but officials decided against taking any further action.

In a statement, the commission said: “Having considered all of the evidence and submissions, the commission concluded that the comments would reasonably be interpreted as calling into question the referee’s integrity and implying that he was motivated by bias.

“The commission recognised the charged atmosphere of the game and the frustration that Mr Moyes was feeling.

“It also took into account his exemplary disciplinary record. However, the commission also stated that it is very important for managers to exercise great care in making comments about referees as they set an example for others.”

Everton are currently fifth in the Premier League table, five points behind Liverpool in the race for fourth place and the Champions League qualifying spot that goes with a top-four finish.