By Gareth James
Cardiff City manager Omer Riza has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association after being sent off against derby rivals Swansea City.
Riza was shown a red card in the final moments of Cardiff’s 3-0 Sky Bet Championship win on Saturday after tangling with Swansea midfielder Goncalo Franco on the touchline and encroaching on to the pitch.
An FA spokesperson said: “Cardiff City’s Omer Riza has been charged with misconduct following their EFL Championship match against Swansea City on Saturday, 18 January.
“It’s alleged that the manager acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner around the 92nd minute and after being sent off.”
Riza has until Friday to provide a response to the charge.
Meanwhile, James McClean will undergo medical checks after being involved in a car crash on his way to Wrexham training on Wednesday morning.
EFL Skybet Championship, Cardiff city v Swansea city South Wales Derby match today, pics by Lewis Mitchell pic.twitter.com/zgDnTV8FYW
— Andrew Orchard (@sportsphotoAOSP) January 18, 2025
Wrexham have not named the player involved in the single-car incident but it is understood it was Republic of Ireland international McClean, who joined the club in 2023.
The 35-year-old, Ireland’s fifth most capped men’s player with 103, was due to be examined by medical staff on Wednesday.
Images on social media showed an Audi RS6, said to be McClean’s vehicle, on a pick-up trailer a few miles from the Wrexham training ground.
A statement from the Sky Bet League One club said: “Wrexham AFC can confirm that a first-team player has been involved in a car accident this morning on his way to training.
“It was a single car accident with no other vehicles involved and the relevant local authorities were quickly present at the scene.
“The player reported to the club this morning and will undergo further medical checks as a precaution.”
BREAKING: James McClean involved in car crash on the way to Wrexham training https://t.co/EDlAVlpqsp
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 22, 2025
A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Shortly before 9am this morning (Wednesday, January 22), we received a report of a single vehicle road traffic collision on the A534 in Wrexham, near to Wrexham Golf Club.
“Officers and colleagues from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident, which had blocked the road until the vehicle was recovered shortly before 10am. No serious injuries were reported from the scene.”
Third-placed Wrexham are due to play league leaders Birmingham at home on Thursday.
The fixture has been branded the ‘Hollywood derby’ given the A-list celebrities involved at both clubs.
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney co-own Wrexham, while Birmingham’s American owners include NFL superstar Tom Brady.
The reverse fixture at St Andrew’s in September – which Birmingham won 3-1 – drew a bumper crowd of almost 28,000, including Brady, David Beckham and Gary Neville.
There has been less fanfare around the return game, but Birmingham boss Chris Davies is aware of greater interest around this particular fixture.
“The players know what I expect of them, and I have a feeling that they will not be sucked in by the external noise,” Davies told Blues TV.
“As much as I am saying it is just another game, it is always positive there is interest in us.
“To have that interest in the club go internationally is great and we want to deliver the right type of performance.”
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