Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley has spoken out about FA rule changes that has seen the club fail in their appeal to overturn Billy Knott’s red card received in the 4-1 defeat at Notts County on Saturday.
Knott was shown a straight red card 28 minutes into the local derby at Meadow Lane after accidentally kicking Ryan Yates in the head as he attempted to hook a clearance up field.
The City midfielder was handed a three-match ban and had to sit out Lincoln’s 2-1 victory over Barnet last night after the Imps’ appeal against the dismissal was rejected by the FA, who chose to back up referee Seb Stockbridge.
‘I am incredibly disappointed and really surprised,’ said Cowley. ‘It’s now an issue because they have taken the intent rule out, so now there doesn’t have to be any intent.
‘Now you can’t make an overhead kick, which supporters want to see. If you make one and you kick the centre-half, you’re sent off; if you make a scissor-kick with the ball at about waist high and kick the centre-half, you’re off. The old saying of ‘hook it on’ is not now allowed in football, because if someone comes out of your eyeline and you kick them – like Billy did – then you’re sent off.
‘We have had some feedback from the FA about it and we’re so disappointed. To get sent off and lose a key player in a key game is one thing, but when there’s no intent and the player gets a three-game ban, it’s ludicrous. I fear for the game, I really do. It scares me. I think the FA know that this rule tweak has caused some problems and it has to be addressed for the good of the game.
‘It’s lucky John Beck is not in management anymore and I worry for Neil Warnock and company.’
Knott's red card appeal rejection irks Cowley:https://t.co/Y6ZZQU4HxM#Imps #TeamLincoln #EFL
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) September 27, 2017
