CHERRIES boss Scott Parker admitted he was left puzzled by an FA charge against Jefferson Lerma for “language and/or behaviour” because the midfielder “barely speaks English”.

The former Levante star was shown a straight red card by referee David Coote after tripping Matty Godden, as the Coventry striker burst through on goal at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

The Colombian left the pitch with Cherries leading 2-0. The Sky Blues stormed back to draw 2-2, netting two late goals.

And Lerma, who is set to serve a one-game ban for Friday's trip to Championship leaders Fulham, has now received a further charge by the FA.

A statement from the FA read: "Jefferson Lerma has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3. It is alleged that the midfielder’s language and/or behaviour following his dismissal in the 68th minute of AFC Bournemouth’s EFL Championship game against Coventry City FC on Saturday (27/11/21) was improper.

"Jefferson Lerma has until this Friday (03/12/21) to provide a response.”

Asked whether he could shed any light on the situation by the Daily Echo, Parker replied: “I didn’t know about that. I didn’t see an issue at all, I thought he walked off the pitch.

“I saw him remonstrating a little bit. I mean Jeff, with all due respect, barely speaks English. I struggle at the best of time with Jeff. He has real broken English.

“I don’t remember that, I don’t recall that. I see him asking the question and I see my group of players, if anything, from what I can remember of it, is my players just telling him to go off and I saw him walking off.”

Lerma had already served a six-game ban at the start of this campaign after he was judged to have bitten Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass back in November 2020.

Asked whether he was concerned Lerma could face more than a one-game suspension this time round, Parker replied: “Not from what I can remember of it, or what I recall of it – not at all. I probably need to look a little bit deeper into that.

“But like I said, he speaks bare English, so I don’t know what he could have said. I’ve barely heard him say two words since I have been here, really.

“When I do speak to him everything is done over a TV, a video, or I’m pointing and it’s mainly “yes, no”. It’s just football talk – as in showing him.

“I’m not sure what he could have said. Maybe the ref speaks Colombian or I don’t know, he understands certain things?”

Lerma has played 16 times for Cherries in the league this campaign.