Wolves star faces lengthy ban after FA charge as Premier League relegation battle takes fresh twist

Wolves forward Daniel Podence has been charged by the FA after he he allegedly spat at Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson during a feisty 1-1 draw between the sides on Saturday afternoon.

Forest goal-scorer Johnson said after the game he felt some spit come towards his face after Podence was accused of spitting on the Welshman.

Podence struck late in the second half to cancel out Johnson’s first-half opener as the Premier League relegation rivals shared the spoils.

There was a VAR check on the alleged spit but there was no further action taken at the time.

Johnson said on Saturday: “I am not going to make an allegation against him, but I felt some spit come towards my face but the referees have had a look at it and didn’t give a red card.

“It is done now, so I am completely fine with it. At the end of the day, it is the VAR team having a look at it.

“I saw what I saw close up but they are having a lot of different looks at it and at the end of the day it wasn’t given as a red card so I will get on with the game.”

The FA also charged Forest for a failure “to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or do not behave in a way which is improper”.

Forest assistant Alan Tate and his Wolves counterpart Pablo Sanz have also been charged for “improper and/or violent behaviour” after the pair were shown red cards early in the second half.

Podence has been given until April 12 to respond to the charge which means a potential ban is likely to arrive before Saturday’s home game with Chelsea.

Wolves’ remaining games this month come against Brentford, Leicester City, Crystal Palace and Brighton.