Dwight Gayle faces two-match ban after FA charge him for diving

The Albion striker has been charged for ‘successful deception of a match official’ in the 89th minute of Tuesday night’s 2-2 draw.

Gayle went over in the box without any Forest players touching him, winning a penalty from referee Lee Mason which strike partner Jay Rodriguez thumped home to earn a point.

The striker has until 6pm on Thursday, February 14, to respond to the charge.

If he accepts it he’ll be given an automatic two-match ban that comes into effect immediately.

That would rule the lethal 16-goal striker out of Albion’s derby day trip to Villa Park this Saturday and their visit to Queens Park Rangers next Tuesday.

If he contests the charge, his case will be heard by an independent regulatory commission at the earliest possible date.

Unlike FA charges of violent conduct, where appeals deemed frivolous could be punished with a lengthier ban, appealing against deception of a match official does not carry the risk of further suspension.

FA rules state: “Where there is clear and overwhelming evidence to suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation, and as a direct result, the offending player’s team has been awarded a penalty and/or an opposing player has been dismissed, the FA will be able to act retrospectively under its Fast Track system.”

Losing Gayle for two games would represent a huge loss for the Baggies, who currently have attacking players Matt Phillips, Hal Robson-Kanu and James Morrison all sidelined.

Forest boss Martin O’Neill said after the game: “I spoke to the referee, he said it if it was a mistake it was an honest one and I accept that.

"It certainly looked like a dive, I've seen it back twice from a rather long lens angle and not on TV but everyone I have spoken to says it was a dive.

"In this day and age, it was very difficult for a referee, harder than it's ever been.”