Completely Bitter over "Sweet" F.A.!!!

A few years back, a certain Charlton Athletic Football Club appealed against a red card, given to a young player called Osei Sankofa, sent off against Arsenal.

What happened was this: stupidly, and tiresomely, Sankofa pulled down Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie in pursuit of the ball - and was deemed to be last man by the referee. The red card soon followed.

However, the video replay showed clearly, that Van Persie was offside, and that the last defender was Talal El Karkouri, another Charlton defender, not Sankofa.

That's by the by, and as a referee myself, I can see all too easily why the decision was given. Any decent referee would, after all: he saw what appeared to be the last Charlton defender pull down a striker. Instant red, and we all know it.

What happened next is startling. The Premier League rang Charlton a few days later, to say that the referee's manager agreed with the Valley faithful, and further, had video evidence to prove the red card was unjust - however I must stress that I personally feel the referee did the best he could, at the time.

It went to an FA disiplinary commission, who threw it out in under forty-five minutes. To add salt to the wounds, it then gave Sankofa, already shamed through the red card, a further one match suspension. Charlton and the PL took it to the high court, and the result of the matter is as yet, undecided.

This week, Ian Ashbee of Hull City wrestled Lloyd Sam to the floor, after a poorly timed challenge, and a couple of kicks to the midriff. Both players were sent off, and the video evidence of the incidents is clear - Lloyd Sam was essentially being beaten up!!! Yet, once again, Charlton's appeal is dismissed.

Here's the thing I don't understand. I have no problem with making the decision to turn down an appeal - but surely the FA could give the football world their reasons?

Further, I'd like them to explain how John Terry manages to get away without a three match ban, after THAT card-snatching incident - surely that, more than anything else, deserves a suitable punishment?!

And there is more. No, I am no cynic - the FA answer to no one, not even West Ham, though it seems like it sometimes, what with the random argentinian signings and all.

The problem here is a lack of common sense, and decency. In days gone by, independent commissions for any sporting misconduct would publish their verdict quite happily, safe in the knowledge that they were doing their job, and that if it was controversial, the FA would cover their backs.

No more, and why? Sadly, it does all seem to be going 1984 in the football world at the moment. Hardly a word comes out of Soho Square nowadays, with the officials moved about in cars with blacked out windows and dark metalic paint.

What then, has this to do with the EPL?

Well, for the moment, nothing. But the day will come when a team will be docked points, banned, removed entirely or fined audauciously, and not a single reason as to why will be given.

We will be expected to accept that, and in the great scheme of things, it is dangerous for the sport, its players, employees and its fans.

Because there's nothing sweet about bitter F.A.