Luton: Coyne red upheld

The FA have today turned down Luton’s appeal against the red card given to Chris Coyne for denying a goal scoring opportunity in Boxing Day’s clash at Bristol Rovers.

The decision was predictable as the video seemed to show the decision to be clear cut. What was not so predictable was the opinion of the FA that the appeal was ‘frivolous’ and their decision to add a second match ban for having the nerve to question the decision of the referee.

Coyne will now serve a two match suspension missin theg Port Vale and Yeovil games.

The decision to uphold the referee’s decision was the correct one, but the extra ban is outrageous. The rules of the FA allow a player to appeal a decision and there should be no further punishment when he does so. My opinion was echoed by manager Kevin Blackwell who commented on www.lutontown.co.uk:

‘We are extremely disappointed about the decision by the FA. It is nothing short of a disgrace.

‘Because the panel deemed the appeal frivolous, the player has to now serve another match ban and it could be a case that we take this matter further.’

I wouldn’t bother Kevin – they make their own rules up as they go along and would probably find a way to screw you even further.