Soccer

Wes Brown successfully appeals red card

FA withdraw Sunderland player’s three-match ban after sending off against Stoke

Sunderland’s Wes Brown leaves the pitch after being shown a red card for a challenge on Stoke City’s Charlie Adam. The English FA have upheld an appeal against the decision and withdrawn a three-match suspension. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Sunderland’s Wes Brown leaves the pitch after being shown a red card for a challenge on Stoke City’s Charlie Adam. The English FA have upheld an appeal against the decision and withdrawn a three-match suspension. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA
Tue Nov 26 2013 - 15:52

Sunderland's appeal against the red card shown to defender Wes Brown in Saturday's Premier League match at Stoke has been upheld, the English Football Association has confirmed.

Announcing the news on Tuesday afternoon, the FA also revealed that Crystal Palace had been unsuccessful with their appeal against the red card Eagles midfielder Yannick Bolasie received in their top-flight game at Hull on Saturday.

A statement from the FA said: “An Independent Regulatory Commission has today heard two separate claims of wrongful dismissal involving Sunderland’s Wes Brown and Yannick Bolasie of Crystal Palace.

“With regard to Brown, who was dismissed for serious foul play during Saturday’s game at Stoke City, the claim was upheld. As a result, his three-match suspension has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

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“The claim in relation to Bolasie, who was dismissed for serious foul play during his side’s match at Hull City on Saturday, was unsuccessful therefore his three-match ban remains with immediate effect.”

Brown was sent off in the first half of the contest at the Britannia Stadium, which Sunderland lost 2-0, for a sliding challenge on Charlie Adam.

The Black Cats man, travelling at speed when he made the one-footed tackle, won the ball and replays suggested any contact between the two players had been minimal.

Referee Kevin Friend deemed it worthy of a straight red card, a decision that left Sunderland manager Gus Poyet livid and calling for an apology from Mike Riley, the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board.

Friend has not been given a match for the next two rounds of Premier League games.

Bolasie’s straight red card was issued by referee Anthony Taylor for a challenge on Jake Livermore 12 minutes from the end of the match at the KC Stadium, which Palace won 1-0.

Giving his reaction to Brown’s red card being rescinded, Poyet said on Sunderland’s official website: “I would like to express my thanks to the panel for giving the matter their consideration. Naturally we are delighted with their decision, which is fair and just.

“I have spoken with Mike Riley and whilst the details of our conversation will remain private, I am satisfied with today’s outcome.

“Of course it was hugely frustrating to have Wes sent off, but we accept that officials are only human and like everyone, they can make mistakes.

“Having the red card rescinded today goes some way to rectifying the error and we are delighted to have Wes available for Saturday’s game at Aston Villa.”