http://www.scnuthorpe-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10442~1202954,00.html How does that work then, if the appeal is turned down he just misses the Fa Cup game I guess, which I'm sure they can live with!! You can't just do that, it stinks!!
Because the appeal has to be heard so he can play in the meantime, otherwise he could be suspended and then have an appeal accepted - how would you then reverse the suspension. Of course clubs may use this to keep their player for a game they prefer him in.
They are playing the system "Marcus Williams will line up against Barnsley at Glanford Park on New Year's Day (3pm kick-off) after the Iron decided to appeal against his red card at West Bromwich Albion. The plea will be heard on Wednesday and, as a result, he will start against the Tykes at left-back. He was dismissed for what was judged to be a 'professional foul' on Baggies' midfielder Zoltan Gera. However, United are confident it can be overturned and he will be available on Tuesday as a result." Just watched it again - he pulled down the WBA player when he was the last man. The ref blew immediately then went and checked with the linesman and after checking the ref produced a red card So it was a clear foul, a clear goalscoring opportunity, the ref and linesman conferred and presumably agreed No way is this going to be overturned - Does anyone know if the appeals panel can either increase the ban or insist it starts after the cup match so he has to miss a league match as this is as clear a breach of the spirit of the rules as you can possibly find
RE: They are playing the system As I understand it, the ban can be increased if, in the opinion of the F.A., the appeal was frivolous.
On the other hand... If you saw the highlights of Scunny v Baggies, you will have noted that: 1) Phillips' first goal looked offside and they were holding the Baggies at that point; 2) the same linesman who allowed the goal to stand then intervened to ensure that Williams was sent off for the foul. This was also debatable, as there seemed minimal contact and no serious intention to foul. There was also a question as to whether Williams was the last defender. The BBC Five Live report said that the LINESMAN got a standing ovation from the Baggies' fans at half time. They obviously thought he had been their best player then - and, by all reports, up to that point in the game, he probably had. This all said, you cannot blame Scunny for appealing what looked like a very harsh decision, although it is odd that they did not do it straight away. Given the coontrovery, and with little else to do being Christmas, I checked the Scunny premium tv site and found a very balanced match report, which did not make a big deal of the linesman's apparent bias, even though Atkins was sent to the stand after the first goal. I think that we would also have been up in arms and appealing the sending off given the circumstances.
