Former Leeds United boss handed ban and £1,000 fine after club's worst ever start to a season
The former Leeds United boss has endured a torrid start to the League One campaign.
Former Leeds United manager Garry Monk has received a one-match touchline ban after seeing red during his Cambridge United side’s 1-0 defeat at home to Rotherham earlier this month.
Monk has endured a torrid start to the season in charge of Cambridge, who are winless from their opening nine games and rock-bottom of League One - their worst ever start to an EFL season. The U’s did look set for a decent point at home to Rotherham last Tuesday but conceded a sickening decider in the 92nd minute, with fellow former Leeds boss Steve Evans coming out on top.
A furious Monk remonstrated with the fourth official and referee after full-time, although it is unclear exactly what for with no obvious errors, and the 45-year-old was subsequently sent off. And after an investigation into the Cambridge manager’s conduct, the FA have confirmed their punishment.
An FA Spokesperson said: “Garry Monk has been given a one-match touchline ban and £1,000 fine for misconduct at Cambridge United’s EFL League One fixture against Rotherham United on Tuesday 1 October.
“It was alleged that the manager acted in an improper manner and/or confrontational manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words towards a match official around the 93rd minute and after the final whistle.
“Garry Monk admitted to this charge and accepted the standard penalty.”
Monk will now be absent from the touchline for his side’s home game against Wigan Athletic next weekend, with Saturday’s planned trip to Birmingham City postponed due to the latter club’s international commitments. But pressure is increasing on the former Leeds boss to turn results around, with the Cambridge board publishing a statement on the low start earlier this week.
“There is no sugar coating how poor our results have been,” the statement read. “The reasons may be many and varied - and some of the underlying statistics may tell a more positive story - but in the end we all know football is a results business.
“Unfortunately, multiple long-term injuries have really tested this approach and our squad depth - and there will be lessons for all of us to learn for the future. This is said as context but not as an excuse, and we are all acutely aware that results do need to improve - and quickly. We need to be in a competitive position come the turn of the year to have a realistic chance of preserving our League One status.
“We know how hard Garry, the staff and players are working. There is no shortage of endeavour, focus and togetherness within the group. The international break now gives everyone a chance to regroup, refocus and then really attack the coming critical period of games.”