John Eustace facing final-day ban after Coventry City red card as FA take action

Blackburn Rovers boss John Eustace has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association following his clash with Coventry City midfielder Kasey Palmer.

The incident took place shortly after half-time on Saturday during a goalless draw at Ewood Park, with the former Sky Blues captain sent-off for pushing Palmer on the touchline. The result effectively ended the Sky Blues' outside hopes of reaching the play-offs again this season.

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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The Sky Blues were later reduced to 10 men when defender Liam Kitching was shown a red card for a last man professional foul on Blackburn’s Sam Gallagher. It was his third dismissal of the season, a club record.

Eustace began his career as a trainee at Highfield Road, going on to make 85 senior appearances over seven injury-hit years before leaving to join Stoke City. Remarkably, he was sent off against Coventry last season too when he was Birmingham City boss, also on the penultimate weekend of the season. On that occasion, he was subsequently handed a one-match suspension and fined £2,000.

If banned again, Eustace would miss Rovers’ last-day trip to champions Leicester City, where defeat could see them relegated to League One. He began the season as manager of Birmingham City before being sacked to make way for Wayne Rooney, who was also shown the door by the St Andrew’s hierarchy after just 15 games.