Sir Gregory ParsloeP wrote:
We don’t know what the grounds for defence were. I’m not saying he did no wrong but it’s first ban as far as I can recall and we keep seeing long bans when players were penalised in the game but either got no cards in the game or a yellow.
When the system can only deal with appeals by increasing bans it’s not fit for purpose IMO
Hang on we can’t have it both ways. We as fans were complaining that Refs were too ready to deal with it in game by handing out cards left right and centre to the point clubs put pressure on the referees to change approach because it’s what the fans want, and now we’re chastising them for handling incidents outside of the game? You know the expression, you can’t have it both ways?
And the system doesn’t only deal with appeals by increasing bans. There have been plenty of examples where the initial ruling was upheld or even reduced. Leeds have had bans overturned over the last few years. But appealing for the sake of appealing, and wasting everyone’s time by presenting no new evidence is when bans get increased, which is what has happened here. And of course there needs to be some sort of deterrent, otherwise all clubs would appeal all bans and be a huge waste of time for everyone else because “why not might as well try your luck”