FA fall in with FIFA guidelines

Players sent off in the Barclays Premiership next season will begin their suspension immediately under a new disciplinary code unveiled today by the Football Association.

Under the new code, which will be implemented as a pilot scheme for next season in the Premier League, Football League and Conference, suspensions will come into effect immediately following a red card, bringing this country in line with FIFA regulations.

However, there will be the possibility of clubs making a claim for wrongful dismissal or mistaken identity against their players, which must be made to the FA by 12 noon the next working day after the game in which the red card was issued.

All claims will be dealt within four to five working days of a fixture.
There is also a new procedure for on-field incidents not seen by match officials but which are caught on video.

If there is a case to answer charges will be issued within two working days, along with an offer of a punishment which will mirror that which the player would have received had he been sent off by the referee.

Former West Brom player Brendon Batson, project manager for the FA's new disciplinary code, said: "One thing we were mindful of was the FIFA directive, and so we have put in place particularly a fast-track procedure for incidents on and around the field.

"The main objective was to improve the speed and clarity, with a sense of fairness. We wanted to ensure players had a right of appeal if an injustice appeared to have been done.

"The pilot scheme will be monitored throughout next season and there will be a review to see how things have worked."

In a written statement, FA chief executive Mark Palios commented: "When I first came into this job, I consulted with people at all levels of the game about what issues needed to be addressed and the top priority was always improving the disciplinary the system.

"This is the most far-reaching review of disciplinary procedures since the mid-1990s.

"We have aimed to improve both the speed and the clarity of our processes, while maintaining the central principle of fairness. The system is now in place and we need everyone to play their part in making it work."

The new procedures were also welcomed by the players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association.

"We are extremely pleased with the co-operation we have had from the FA and the other involved parties after some problems encountered last season," said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor.

"The review has resulted in a new system with improved transparency, efficiency and speed which applies to both on-field and off-field discipline.
"We are very pleased with the outcome of the review and hope that we will see its fruits during the coming season."