Yahoo News John Eustace could hand Birmingham City relegation boost after FA charge
Birmingham City could be thanking former boss John Eustace if they stay in the Championship after he was charged by the FA.
The Blackburn manager is facing a final-day ban after being accused of misconduct by the Football Association following a clash with Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer. The incident took place shortly after half-time during the goalless draw at Ewood Park last Saturday, with Eustace sent-off for pushing Palmer on the touchline.
An FA statement read: “John Eustace has been charged with misconduct following the EFL Championship game between Blackburn and Coventry on Saturday, April 27. It’s alleged that the Blackburn manager acted in an improper manner around the 50th minute. He has until Friday, May 3, to provide a response.”
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Eustace was sent off against Coventry last season too when he was Blues boss, also on the penultimate weekend of the season. On that occasion, he was angered by a penalty decision which gave Coventry a two-nil lead. He was subsequently handed a one-match suspension and was fined £2,000.
Eustace would not want to be sanctioned for Rovers' final game of the season, away to Leicester, where defeat could see them relegated to League One and his former club survive.
Blues’ situation is clear cut. They have to beat Norwich to put Plymouth, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn under pressure. If Blues win, Plymouth will go down if they fail to take three points from their final game, at home to play-off chasing Hull City.
Wednesday (at Sunderland) and Blackburn will only be in danger if they lose on the final day when a point will be enough for both to finish above Blues. However, the Premier League-bound Foxes will be keen to celebrate in front of their fans after claiming the title at Preston on Monday, and will be reluctant to let Blackburn spoil their party, a situation potentially made easier if Eustace is absent from the touchline.
Eustace began the season as Blues manager and had them in the play-off places before being sacked in October to make way for Wayne Rooney, who was also shown the door by the St Andrew’s hierarchy after just 15 games. Since then, Blues have had Tony Mowbray, Mark Venus and now Gary Rowett at the helm, but have been unable to arrest their perilous slide into the bottom three.
