Frank Lampard to face two-year ban from FA after his comments about Sunderland and FA – it’s terrifying -he shouldn’t have said that

Coventry City manager Frank Lampard is under investigation by the Football Association (FA) after his post-match comments following the team’s dramatic 1-1 draw against Sunderland in the Championship play-off semi-final.

The match, held at the Stadium of Light, saw Coventry eliminated from the play-offs with a 3-2 aggregate loss. Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal had given the Sky Blues hope, but Dan Ballard’s 122nd-minute equalizer dashed their Premier League aspirations. The emotional climax led to a pitch invasion by jubilant Sunderland fans, during which Lampard was approached by a supporter seeking a selfie, resulting in a brief altercation.

In the aftermath, Lampard expressed his frustration in a post-match interview, criticizing both Sunderland’s tactics and the FA’s officiating standards.

“What we saw  was nothing short of a disgrace. Sunderland didn’t come here to play football they came to waste time, to disrupt, to manipulate every decision. And the officials? Completely out of their depth. I’ve seen Sunday league games with better control. It’s becoming clearer by the week that the FA either can’t or won’t fix this. We’re fighting for promotion, for livelihoods, and this is what we get? A farce, sanctioned by a governing body that seems more interested in protecting reputations than upholding standards.”

The FA is reviewing his statements under Rule E3, which governs improper conduct and bringing the game into disrepute.

A two-year ban, if enforced, would be one of the most severe sanctions ever issued to a Championship manager, raising serious questions about free speech, emotional expression in football, and managerial accountability. While critics argue that Lampard’s remarks were out of line and potentially damaging to the image of the sport, many fans have voiced support for him, claiming he was merely speaking out against poor officiating and inconsistent decision-making.

A spokesperson for the FA stated, “We are aware of the comments made by Mr. Lampard following the recent fixture and are currently assessing them in line with our disciplinary procedures.”

Lampard, who took over managerial duties at Coventry in November 2024, has overseen a significant turnaround in the team’s performance. Under his guidance, the Sky Blues climbed from 17th place to secure a play-off spot, breaking several long-standing records along the way.

Coventry fans, while disappointed with the season’s conclusion, have shown their support for Lampard across social media platforms. “He brought us back from the brink and gave us hope. If he’s punished for being honest, it’s a sad day for football,” one supporter wrote.

The club has yet to issue an official statement regarding the FA’s investigation. However, internal sources suggest that Coventry’s board is standing behind Lampard, acknowledging the emotionally charged atmosphere of the game and the aftermath of the late pitch invasion.

As the FA continues its review, the football community awaits a resolution. The outcome could have implications not only for Lampard’s future with Coventry but also for broader discussions about the emotional demands placed on managers and whether the sport needs to adopt a more empathetic approach to post-match expression.