Touchline ban for Leeds United boss Garry Monk after derby bust-up with David Wagner

LEEDS UNITED head coach Garry Monk will watch Friday's Championship game against Birmingham City from the stands after being hit with a one-match touchline ban.
Garry Monk and David Wagner clashed at the end of the recent West Yorkshire derby.Garry Monk and David Wagner clashed at the end of the recent West Yorkshire derby.
Garry Monk and David Wagner clashed at the end of the recent West Yorkshire derby.

Monk received the punishment and a £3,000 fine after pleading guilty to a charge of improper conduct following his dismissal in the closing minutes of this month’s Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield Town.

The United boss and Huddersfield manager David Wagner were both cited for their part in the touchline brawl which marred Town’s 2-1 win at the John Smith’s Stadium on February 5.

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Wagner incurred a two-match suspension and was fined £6,000 after a Football Association commission ruled on the case today.

The pair were at the centre of scuffling which broke out after Monk reacted to Wagner sprinting onto the pitch to celebrate Michael Hefele’s 89th-minute winner by barging into the German as he jogged back to his technical area.

Monk faced one charge of improper conduct while Wagner was accused of two separate breaches for entering the field of play and contributing to the ensuing trouble.

Today’s commission was attended by Monk and Leeds chief executive Ben Mansford after United requested a personal hearing in an effort to limit Monk’s punishment. Monk is understood to have argued that he was provoked by Wagner’s celebration. The Leeds boss accused his counterpart of lacking “humility, respect and class” at the end of an eventful derby.

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Wagner, who admitted running onto the pitch but denied the additional charge of inciting the melee, received a longer ban after the commission found the second allegation to be proven.

On top of the penalties levelled against Monk and Wagner, the FA has fined Leeds and Huddersfield £10,000 for failing to control their players and staff at the John Smith’s Stadium. Both clubs admitted the offence.

Monk previously served a one-match touchline ban in October after being dismissed from his dug-out during a defeat at Bristol City and he will sit in the stands when Leeds travel to St Andrews for a televised fixture on Friday evening.

United head to Birmingham with a sizeable eight-point lead over Fulham, the club directly below the Championship play-off places. Monk will return to the dug-out for next Tuesday’s crucial visit to Craven Cottage.