O/T:- Liam Roberts Red vs Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

[LeftPeg_Pie]

The ban given to Liam Roberts following his red against Palace for his challenge on Jean-Phillipe Mateta (which I am sure most of us have seen) has been increased from 3 games to 6 after the FA submitted a claim to a regulatory committee to increase it.

Clearly, Roberts made a terrible decision and the collision was sickening to watch. I do not think Roberts intended to hurt Mateta (although intent is quite clearly difficult to determine) and I do not think him making contact with Mateta?s head was deliberate/premeditated etc.

But I am wondering what people think about the ban being increased based on an FA instigated claim?

I think the FA may be making a rod for their own back and I certainly do not think we should be judging red cards and red card associated bans on outcomes. They have set a standard now, so does every red with a collision between studs and head become a claim by the FA, or an automatic six game ban?

I feel the high profile nature of this has set a precedent that causes more issues than solution to problems.

[tommopie8]

He was incredibly reckless and I don't think a 6 game ban is that bad considering the damage he could've caused from his decision making.

We rarely see an actual punch thrown on the pitch but again if there was something akin to Duncan Ferguson assaulting players I'd want him to be banned for longer than someone who stopped a goal scoring opportunity like the Arsenal youngster a few weeks ago.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

He was incredibly reckless and I don't think a 6 game ban is that bad considering the damage he could've caused from his decision making.

We rarely see an actual punch thrown on the pitch but again if there was something akin to Duncan Ferguson assaulting players I'd want him to be banned for longer than someone who stopped a goal scoring opportunity like the Arsenal youngster a few weeks ago.

Some reds are overtly worse looking that others and some are outright exceptions; like Big Dunc and Dion Dublin actually head butting Robbie Savage.

If think my issue is the laws of the game focus on the action of the incident, not the outcome. So for the outcome to swing a ban on way or the other, does not seem in-keeping with the laws.

I also do not see the FA now reviewing every single red card. Should a red that breaks a leg be put forward review over a red that just causes bruising? In theory, a red card tackle could cause either, but because the outcome is different, is one more bannable?

[Chicken Balti Pie]

I fully expect any high booted kick to have similar sanctions in the future... Hang on, it's the FA so it'll just be a standard 3 match ban because any other incidents won't have a premier league chairman crying on national TV