West Brom striker Dwight Gayle has been charged with simulation after earning a penalty for the Baggies in their 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, according to journalist John Percy.
The Telegraph reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that the on loan Newcastle hitman, who has been one of the top performers for Darren Moore this season, has been retrospectively charged with deceiving the match officials at the Hawthorns, Jay Rodriguez scoring from the spot after Lee Mason had awarded the penalty.
Dwight Gayle has been charged by the FA for ‘Successful Deception of a Match Official’ following an incident in the game against #nffc. Likely two-game ban if he accepts the charge #wba
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) February 13, 2019
It is stated that Gayle will likely pick up a two game ban if he accepts the charge which would be a big blow for the Baggies, although it remains to be seen whether he will appeal the charge.
Opinion
This is a really tricky one to deduct for both the officials and the West Brom striker, who could well have felt some contact when in the box against Forest. Does he appeal based on the fact he can fight his case, or does he simply accept it and move on rather than dragging it out. Judging from the fact he has been charged, the disciplinary panel obviously think he is guilty and it would be a case of proving his innocence rather than the other way round. Changing someone’s mind, especially when their mind is already made up, is not an easy task, but it was one of those which could have gone either way. If Gayle were to appeal it would no doubt have to be a strong case but it could be based on the fact it is not a clear cut decision for the referee to make. Without it being black and white the panel surely cannot ban him and it is on those grounds that any sort of appeal will win out. Losing him would be a heavy blow – will the Baggies take the risk?