Bristol Rovers defender James Gibbons will serve a two-match suspension after being found guilty of improper conduct, the FA Spokesperson revealed today.
The improper conduct charge relates to a League One clash with MK Dons in early February, The Gas on the day losing out 2-0 to Mark Jackson’s Milton Keynes.
In a game that was fiercely contested from minute one, James Gibbons let the occasion get the better of him with incidents in both the first half and second half resulting in this ban. Sam Finley, his teammate at The Memorial Stadium, was also given a ban – the Gas midfielder picking up a three-match suspension for violent conduct.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) March 14, 2023
This leaves Joey Barton with numerous selection issues ahead of tonight’s crucial game versus Wycombe Wanderers with key Rovers figure Paul Coutts also expected to be absent.
They do, however, go into tonight’s clash, unbeaten in three games with victories against Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers sticking out.
Regardless, James Gibbons will not feature at all for Rovers tonight despite appeals against this improper conduct charge from the player and club.
A statement from the FA Spokesperson states: “James Gibbons has been suspended for the next two Bristol Rovers fixtures and fined £2000 following an incident in their EFL League One game against MK Dons on Saturday 4 February.
“The defender denied that his conduct during both the 23rd and 53rd minutes was improper. However, an independent Regulatory Commission upheld the charge and imposed his sanctions after a hearing.”
Writer’s View
Most football fans love when the player they’re watching is passionate for their club’s cause, but in the case of James Gibbons, this passion has resulted in the FA ruling that his conduct was improper.
Joey Barton’s men could do without having suspended players in order to rely upon their full squad yet James Gibbons’ involvement this season in the first-team has been less frequent in recent matches.
Therefore, although it’s an annoyance for Barton, he still has the likes of Jarell Quansah and Lewis Gibson in the weeks to come available to him.
