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Fulham's Coleman in hot water over referee comments

Fulham manager Chris Coleman is likely to face an FA charge over his comments that referee Mark Halsey favors bigger clubs. An inquiry into his remarks was set up on Monday.

Halsey denied Fulham appeals for a penalty and awarded a spot-kick to Chelsea in the Premiership champions' 2-0 victory on Saturday, awakening an old sore for Coleman's side. Two years ago, Halsey first awarded a penalty to Fulham and then, apparently under coercion from Arsenal players, overturned his decision.

Coleman said that Halsey should not be appointed for games "against Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea," and added: "For his sake and ours, he shouldn't be here."

Keith Hackett, the referees' chief, has taken a strict line, a policy that has extended to his own officials. Barry Sygmuta, the linesman who failed to give Shola Ameobi offside as he gave Newcastle the lead against Everton on Sunday, is likely to face action.
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