Bilic charged with improper conduct after chucking microphone
The English Football Association (FA) announced Monday that West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has been charged with improper conduct in a match against West Brom last Saturday, presumably for throwing a microphone to the ground after conceding an equaliser after the 90-minute mark.
Bilic's assistant Nikola Jurcevic was also charged with alleged misconduct for an incident in the 19th minute after referee Michael Oliver awarded West Brom a foul. Both Jurcevic and Bilic were sent off during the course of the game.
It was the result of a frustrating match for Bilic, who felt his team was on the wrong end of a number of calls.
Following the match, Bilic pulled no punches with his assessment of Oliver, telling reporters, as seen on video posted by the BBC: "I'm the first one to say that it's very hard for the referees nowadays, the pace of the game, contact support, all that, but this ... ?
"You know, when you're on the wrong end of all the major decisions, and there were more than a few ... you can live with one, you can live with two, but you can't live with so many of them. Although I really rate Michael Oliver. He knows that ... In the last few years I've calmed myself down and all that but now, I can't get over this.
"Look, I'm going to go home tonight and instead of having three points and be so happy before this break and everything, to have that bitter feeling, it's awful. The refereeing was, sorry for the words, it's nothing personal, but the refereeing today was awful."
Bilic and his assistant have until 6 p.m. on Feb. 16 to respond to the FA regarding the charges.