West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has rallied in support of Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson after the latter was charged by the Football Association.

The 51-year-old was cited by the governing body after engaging in an explicit-laden row with a Leicester fan after the Foxes' 3-1 defeat to Liverpool earlier this month.

Pearson, who is alleged to have told the supporter in question to "fuck off and die", is backed by Allardyce, who claims that the City boss is being victimised by the "politically correct" nature of the FA.

"If somebody has baited you as much as that fella did then if you get a reaction, you get a reaction," he told The Mirror. "We're all human beings aren't we? When you lose your rag, what do you do? Do you stay calm? No. So we cannot be angels all the time in this badly politically correct world we have.

"This politically correct word drives you up the wall. We'll be shutting the door too hard soon, it'll be make too bigger noise for somebody that will have to upset.

"I think it's wrong he is being punished by the FA, personally. I think he should get a warning about his future conduct, because he hasn't stepped out of line. But the FA are just as scared as everyone else about being PC."

The in-form Hammers, who sit fourth in the Premier League table, face Leicester, on a 10-game winless run, at Upton Park on Saturday.