Friday 3 November 2017 14:54, UK
Bristol City have expressed their surprise and disappointment that Bailey Wright has been handed a retrospective two-match ban for simulation.
The news comes after the Football Association overturned the red card shown to Fulham's Aboubakar Kamara who was sent-off for an off-the-ball clash with Wright during their game on October 31.
Fulham successfully appealed the decision with the Football Association, and Wright was then handed the retrospective ban after the incident was reviewed by an FA panel.
City released a statement, saying: "We were hugely surprised by the decision of The FA to overturn the red card shown to Fulham's Aboubakar Kamara on Tuesday night, but for The FA to then compound that by suspending Bailey for two matches is extremely disappointing.
"We were notified that a charge had been brought against Bailey for "successful deception of a match official" late on Thursday and given 24 hours to provide a response - right in the crucial window of preparation for our noon kick-off with Cardiff City at Ashton Gate.
"On receiving the charge, the information provided to us was extremely limited. The club was informed that a three-person panel, comprising former players, managers and referees, had concluded based on a review of video evidence of the incident, that an act of simulation had been committed by Bailey."
An FA statement said: "Bristol City's Bailey Wright will serve a two-match suspension with immediate effect after his denial of an FA charge of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official' was rejected.
"It was alleged his behaviour in the 62nd minute of the game against Fulham on 31 October 2017, in committing a clear act of simulation which led to an opponent being dismissed, amounted to improper conduct.
"He denied the charge, however, it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing today [Friday 3 November 2017].
"Incidents which suggest a match official has been deceived by an act of simulation are referred to a panel consisting of one ex-match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player.
"Each panel member will be asked to review all available video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it was an offence of 'Successful Deception of a Match Official'.
"Only in circumstances where the panel are unanimous would The FA issue a charge."
