Aston Villa to appeal Anwar El Ghazi red card shown during Leeds draw
The FA will review referee's report before deciding on further action
Monday 29 April 2019 11:04, UK
Aston Villa will appeal against the red card shown to Anwar El Ghazi during the 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, Sky Sports News understands.
In an abnormal game at Elland Road, El Ghazi was shown a red card for apparently hitting out at Patrick Bamford - but replays indicate that there was no contact between the pair.
This occurred after Mateusz Klich opened the scoring for the home side whilst Jonathan Kodjia was down injured; Villa's calls for Leeds to kick the ball out of play were ignored and a scuffle between players and coaching staff ensued.
Villa are preparing video evidence this morning to support their appeal.
Stuart Attwell's report from the 1-1 draw will be examined by the FA in relation to various incidents during the match.
Conor Hourihane also appeared to punch Leeds' Mateusz Klich after the controversial opening goal.
Sky Sports News has been told that Villa's bosses are privately fuming at the reaction of Bamford to the clash with El Ghazi, believing he feigned injury by clutching his face when there was no contact.
The FA introduced a new offence of "Successful Deception of a Match Official" at the start of last season where, if found guilty, a player is given a retrospective two-match ban.
Both teams are in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs; if El Ghazi's red card stands he will miss Villa's final game of the season on Sunday against Norwich, and both legs of the semi-final.
If Bamford is sanctioned, he will miss Leeds' final game of the regular season at Ipswich, and the first leg of the play-off semi-final.
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