The Greatest Story In Sports (™) just had a major plot twist.
The FA announced earlier today that they had charged Jamie Vardy with improper conduct in connection with his sending off this weekend. If the charges are sustained, Vardy will have to serve a two-game suspension rather than one.
Vardy earned a second yellow card early in the second half of Leicester’s contentious 2-2 draw at home to West Ham. After he was sent off, Vardy was seen arguing with referee Jon Moss. There was speculation that a charge could be forthcoming if Moss noted that in his match report. Clearly, he did.
The initial sending-off meant that Vardy would’ve been automatically suspended for the team’s home fixture next weekend against Swansea. If found guilty, he will also be suspended for the trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United the following weekend.
Leicester were also charged with failing to control their players after West Ham were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute.
The charges will be evaluated by a three-person independent panel. Both Vardy and the club have until 6pm local time on Thursday to respond.
Leicester currently have an eight point lead at the top of the Premier League table, although that could be reduced to five points should Tottenham beat Stoke today. Needless to say, the Foxes’ remaining four games are absolutely crucial to the club’s historic title challenge, and being without their star striker (with 22 goals and six assists in the league this season) could throw everything into doubt.