Di Matteo calls for FA rethink over Ivanovic decision

13 April 2012 14:47

Roberto Di Matteo has called for an overhaul of the Football Association's disciplinary procedures following Chelsea's failure to get Branislav Ivanovic off a violent-conduct charge.

Caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo insisted the FA were wrong to find Ivanovic guilty of striking Wigan midfielder Shaun Maloney during Saturday's Barclays Premier League game at Stamford Bridge.

Di Matteo said: "I think everyone is looking for consistency in their decision-making. That's what is most important for everybody, all the stakeholders involved - consistency."

He added: "They would have to review the decision-making and the way they give these bans, and hopefully come up with a more balanced outcome."

The FA used retrospective video evidence to charge Ivanovic, who will now serve a three-match ban at the most crucial part of Chelsea's punishing season.

This week also saw QPR midfielder Shaun Derry fail to overturn his controversial red card at Manchester United, while Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli escaped a charge of his own despite making a studs-up challenge on Arsenal's Alex Song.

Di Matteo also wanted video evidence used more widely, adding of the Ivanovic incident: "You look at the images and you think: 'We're using video footage for that, okay, but we don't use goal-line technology'.

"Why not? If we're using it for that, why can't we use it for the goals? So that's why it has to be reviewed. There has to be a more balanced look at it."

Ivanovic will now sit out Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham and the Barclays Premier League games against Arsenal and QPR.

Di Matteo said: "We are disappointed that his appeal has been dismissed, so there is nothing else we can do."

Source: PA