Moyes charged despite apology from referee

David Moyes
David Moyes has until early October to decide whether to appeal. Photograph: Hamish Blair/Getty Images Hamish Blair/Getty Images/Getty

David Moyes is to face a charge of improper conduct despite receiving an apology from the referee who sent him to the stands at Stoke City on Sunday.

The Everton manager was charged by the Football Association yesterday having been dismissed by Alan Wiley for contesting a penalty decision. Wiley refused a spot-kick on the advice of an assistant, who adjudged that Leon Cort had handled outside his area when television replays showed the offence occurred inside.

Moyes has since received a call from Wiley and though he refused to divulge details, it is understood the official has admitted his error. However, the FA charge stands and the Everton manager has until October 2 to decide whether to appeal.

"The FA have to do their job and I have my job," said Moyes, who is preparing his side to face Standard Liège in the Uefa Cup first round at Goodison tonight. "I had my opinion and the referee has since contacted me. He didn't need to phone and what Alan Wiley said will remain private. We have a Respect campaign in football now which is really important. You earn respect and I would say that the referee has earned a lot more from me for what he has since said."

Of more immediate concern to Moyes is guiding Everton towards the group stage at the expense of Belgium's champions, who were unfortunate to lose to Liverpool in a Champions League qualifier. The Everton manager has not asked Rafael Benítez for advice, nor Marouane Fellaini, who became the club's £15m record signing on deadline day but is ineligible tonight. "I've not asked Fellaini and I won't ask him," claimed Moyes. "He has only just left the club and I don't want to put him in an awkward position. To be honest, I feel a bit uncomfortable about taking a good young player from a team we have now drawn in Europe but that's business, and Standard were happy to do business."

Everton have lost both home games this season, conceding six, and though Standard represent formidable opposition, Moyes hopes the psychological impact of failing to reach the Champions League groups will have an influence. "We were in a similar position three years ago," said the Everton manager. "Had we got into the Champions League group stage it could have changed our world, both financially and in terms of the projection of our club. It did affect us psychologically when we lost to Villarreal and then we lost heavily to Dinamo Bucharest in the Uefa Cup."

Everton (4-4-1-1, probable) Howard; Neville, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott; Arteta, Cahill, Castillo, Osman; Vaughan; Yakubu. Subs from: Nash, Baines, Anichebe, Valente, Rodwell, Baxter, Kissock, Agard, Jutkiewicz.

Standard Liège (4-4-2, probable) Espinoza; Camozzato, Sarr, Onyewu, Dante; Dalmat, Nicaise, Defour, Witsel; De Camargo, Mbokani. Subs from: Jovanovic, De Vriendt, Goreux, Toama, Mikulic, Benko, Ingrao, Dembele.

Referee G Gilewski (Poland).

Five, kick-off 8.05pm