FA’s Aliadiere ruling angers Boro
Posted by kwame on February 27, 2008
Middlesbrough have accused the Football Association of double standards after losing their appeal
against Jeremie Aliadiere’s red card at Liverpool. The FA deemed Boro’s appeal “frivolous” and added an extra game’s suspension to the striker’s initial three-match ban.
The verdict infuriated Boro chief Keith Lamb, who said Chelsea’s appeal against Michael Essien’s three-match ban was rejected but not thought “frivolous”.
“There is one rule for the big boys and another for the rest of us,” said Lamb.
However, FA spokesman Mark Hooper told BBC Sport: “The FA refutes any suggestion that certain clubs are treated differently to others. All cases are treated on merit.
“Under Fifa guidelines, the FA can only overturn decisions if there has been a serious and clear error by the referee.
“The vast majority of appeals are rejected on that basis. And the clubs are fully aware of the rules.
“If the appeal is considered to have been frivolous, then a further suspension can be added to the original ruling.
“This has happened to Burnley, Mansfield, Luton, Tranmere and Hartlepool this season - as well as Middlesbrough.”
The first additional ban for a frivolous appeal was handed to Southend’s Freddy Eastwood in August 2005.
Lamb, though, is irate over the wording of the FA’s response to Boro’s appeal and feels it does not reflect the seriousness of the situation.
“It is a disgraceful comment to suggest our claim was frivolous,” he stated. “We agonised over it before deciding to submit a claim for wrongful dismissal.
“The Oxford Dictionary definition of frivolous is, ‘not serious, shallow, silly or trifling’, while in fact we spent more than two days considering whether or not to appeal.”
Frenchman Aliadiere, 24, was dismissed on 85 minutes by referee Lee Mason for striking out at Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine midfielder appeared to grab Aliadiere’s face during Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat at Anfield.
source:bbcsports
