Blackburn defender Ryan Nelsen is facing a possible four-match ban after being charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for accusing referee Mark Halsey of having "a nice track record" of dismissing Rovers players.
Nelsen's comments were made following Blackburn's 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Barclays Premiership on December 3, a match in which Rovers had skipper Andy Todd sent off for a handball offence.
Rovers were incensed with the decision but Halsey decided he had prevented a goalscoring opportunity.
Nelsen, who recalled Halsey sending off Rovers defender Zurab earlier in the season, said at the time: "The sending-off changed the game, but it happened with the same referee against Liverpool.
"He cost us points in that game and he's cost us points in this game as well. For some reason he likes giving red cards to us.
"It's the referee who decides, not the linesman, and he asked what he wanted to hear. He's got a nice track record of sending off Blackburn players now, so something might be up."
The FA decided Nelsen has a case to answer and he has until January 17 to respond to the charge.
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