Lincoln City head coach Michael Skubala has admitted he is ‘shocked’ by the Football Association’s decision to reject the club’s appeal against the red card shown to Joe Gardner at the weekend.
The Nottingham Forest loanee was sent off just four minutes into his debut after a challenge that, at first glance, appeared dangerous. However, replays suggested that his tackle was neither high nor reckless, and the opposition player involved had also committed to the challenge.
Skubala ‘Shocked’ by FA Decision
The Imps lodged an appeal in hopes of overturning the dismissal, but the FA upheld the original decision, leaving the head coach frustrated.
“Shocked, really. For me, it is what it is. I feel for young Joe because three minutes into his game, it feels a little unjust. But we’ve got to take it on the chin and move on.”
The FA Appeal Process Raises Questions
While rejected appeals are not uncommon, Skubala avoided direct criticism of the FA but expressed his reservations about the reasoning behind their decision.
“I don’t want to get into too much detail, but it’s mostly about the process and the reasons for the sending off,” he explained. “’Late and high’ was the reason given, but when you watch the replay, it looks a little late but not high at all. It’s more about following the process.”
Skubala was more concerned about how the decision has affected Gardner, who had only just joined the club on loan and was eager to make an impact.
“It’s a difficult situation, and more than anything, I feel for him. He wanted to get going here, came on, had a couple of good runs, and was just trying to get minutes to settle in. This has stuttered his start, really. But we move on.”
Copeland’s Record Under Scrutiny
Referee Steven Copeland’s decisions have come under increased scrutiny, with Gardner’s red card being the third appeal lodged against one of his dismissals this season. Earlier in the campaign, Yeovil Town appealed a red card shown to Morgan Williams, which the FA also upheld.
In another controversy, Copeland mistakenly issued a second yellow card to Alan Massey of Maidenhead, instead of Will de Havilland, raising further concerns about his decision-making.
Writer’s View
Michael Skubala has every right to feel frustrated. The red card for Joe Gardner appeared harsh, and the decision to uphold it only fuels debate over officiating standards in League One. Steven Copeland’s growing reputation for issuing red cards adds to the controversy, and while appeals are never guaranteed to succeed, the inconsistency in decisions is concerning.
