Football managers will stop being honest if FA keeps punishing them – West Ham’s Avram Grant

Avram Grant ,West Ham United(Getty Images)

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West Ham manager Avram Grant has spoken out against the FA after he was charged with improper conduct, insisting managers will stop being honest if they keep getting charged for speaking their minds.

Following the Hammers’ FA Cup defeat to Stoke last Sunday the Israeli made comments about match official Mike Jones and was subsequently charged for his remarks.

The charge was made on the same day Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a five match touchline ban for his criticism of referee Martin Atkinson.

“One thing for sure is I don’t think the managers will give an honest opinion about football decisions if this continues,” he said, according to Sky Sports. “I am sure about this.

“I don’t have much to say. I can say only that after the game in the interview I did not speak about the referee.

“Then one of the journalists asked me about the referee – ask him why he asked me – and I gave an honest opinion.

“I didn’t put a question mark on the integrity of the referee or anything because I spoke with the referee, I shook his hand after the game.

“And again I gave an honest answer. If it is against the rules, I don’t know.”

West Ham face Tottenham this weekend at White Hart Lane having recently climbed off the bottom of the Premier League and will be looking to bounce back from their defeat against Stoke.

Grant added: “Football is a game about points but the road to the points is also important.

“I think we kept our style of football even when we were in difficult times but of course it easier when you have all the players you want.

“If we take West Ham as a project for the next year then I think, if we don’t have so many injuries, it is a good base for the future.”