Millwall criticise 'archaic' FA after Jed Wallace red card upheld
Wednesday 8 November 2017 18:47, UK
Millwall have called on the FA to review their "archaic" appeals process after Jed Wallace's red card against Burton Albion was upheld.
Wallace was shown a contentious straight red for a tackle on Tom Flanagan while the scores were level. Ten minutes later, Marvin Sordell scored the only goal of the game to hand Burton the win.
A statement issued by Millwall said: "The club is extremely disappointed by the decision and believes the result of this appeal calls into question the FA's entire processes in this regard.
"Consequently, the club is now calling on the FA, with assistance from the PGMOL (the body that manages referees), to review the appeals process to ensure greater consistency and clarity in their decisions."
Millwall say that, in private discussions, officials from the FA and the PGMOL have told the club following the Burton match that Wallace should not have received a red card.
They add that the match assessor also told them that a red card was excessive, and that the referee admitted that the fourth official advised him to award a yellow card for the offence.
The statement continued: "Since the rejection of this appeal the PGMOL have gone on record to say they are 'flabbergasted' with the decision and confirmed that at no point did anyone from the FA seek their opinion.
"It would appear in this instance that the FA have assumed that because the referee has stuck to his position on the dismissal that this too must be the view held by the PGMOL. That is clearly not the case.
"The club's view is that the PGMOL should be involved in the FA's appeal process which, as it stands, appears archaic.
"This incident highlights how a lack of appropriate communication has led to a decision which goes completely against the views of several other professionals, including the referees' own governing body."
Millwall have confirmed that their chief executive Steve Kavanagh has requested a joint meeting with the FA, the PGMOL and the Football League.
