Premier League: Crystal Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha in danger of receiving extended ban from FA for improper conduct

London: Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha could receive an extended ban after the Football Association charged him with improper conduct for the way he reacted to being sent-off against Southampton. [caption id=“attachment_6002601” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Wilfried Zaha sarcastically applauds Andre Marriner’s refereeing. Reuters[/caption] The forward was dismissed after 87 minutes in Wednesday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at St Mary’s when he received two yellow cards in quick succession, the second for appearing to sarcastically applaud referee Andre Marriner, who had booked him for a challenge with Saints’ James Ward-Prowse. “Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has been charged following the game against Southampton yesterday (January 30, 2019),” said a statement from the FA, English football’s governing body, issued Thursday. “It is alleged his behaviour following a second-half dismissal amounts to improper conduct. The player has until 6pm (1800 GMT) on 5 February, 2019 to respond to the charge,” the statement added. Zaha’s dismissal, which came after he had opened the scoring against Southampton, would usually result in a one-match ban. But the FA could extend it further after the Eagles star appeared to clap Marriner again as he left the pitch. “All I can do is apologise to the team and the fans for my red card because I could have cost us today. I will learn from it for sure,” said Zaha in a post-match Twitter message. Ten-man Palace held on to secure a draw which moved the south London club four points clear of the relegation places.