Frank Lampard may receive a letter from the EFL after being photographed cupping his ears in front of Leeds United supporters, according to ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett.
Leeds defeated Lampard’s Coventry 2-0 at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Wednesday (5 February), with the away support singing many variations of ‘Stop crying Frank Lampard’.
Lampard was reportedly spotted cupping his ear in response to the visiting fans, and former PGMOL chief Hackett believes the 46-year-old former England midfielder should be reminded of his actions, especially given recent instructions from the Premier League regarding players instigating the crowd.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Hackett stated: “The comment published regarding the conduct of players over celebrating was made by the Premier League spokesperson, not an EFL member. The EFL may have a different strategy.
“However, Frank Lampard’s activities are not recommended, and he may well receive a letter from the authorities offering him operational guidance.
“Police and clubs work tirelessly behind the scenes to control and manage fans. It is really critical for crowd safety.”
Frank Lampard could be approached by the EFL about the Leeds United incident
There is no love lost between Whites supporters and former Chelsea player Lampard, who led Derby County to a 4-3 aggregate victory over Leeds in an extraordinary play-off semi-final in the 2018-19 season.
Lampard was also in charge of the ‘Spygate’ affair, in which a Leeds staff member was discovered acting suspiciously outside Derby’s training field. Then-manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending a member of staff to watch every team train they had played that season, which resulted in a £200,000 punishment.
Lampard was already a controversial figure among the Elland Road fans due to his lengthy relationship with Chelsea, where he is the club’s all-time leading goal scorer.
But the history of “that” play-off game, combined with the scandal surrounding ‘Spygate’, cemented the animosity, and Leeds fans will goad Lampard at any opportunity.
It appears they hit a special nerve last night while celebrating a triumph that put the Whites five points clear at the top of the Championship.
The authorities’ decision to take action remains to be seen, but it looks that the Coventry boss may be called in the near future.
