Gerrard appeal chaos
15 Sep 2006 - 15:07:49
Walsall have failed in their bid to have Anthony Gerrard's red card from Tuesday's 5-0 thrashing of Peterborough United rescinded.
Gerrard was dismissed following a clash with United striker Trevor Benjamin but Saddlers boss Richard Money decided to appeal after studying the incident on television.
However, a video of the clash failed to reach the FA on time, to chief executive Roy Whalley's annoyance.
He told the club's official website: "We submitted a video and the relevant paper work and sent it Special Delivery on Wednesday.
"Royal Mail Special Delivery guarantees that it will be delivered by noon the next day, but in the event, the parcel was not received by The FA until 3.10pm on Thursday afternoon.
"FA rules state that in order for an appeal to be considered, the relevant evidence has to be received by 1pm. As a result of the inefficiency of The Royal Mail, Anthony Gerrard's appeal will not be heard and therefore is deemed to have failed.
"The club had to lodge £350 in order to make an appeal and this money will be retained by The FA. We will, however, be seeking compensation from The Royal Mail as a result of their failure to deliver the parcel on time and to honour the guarantee for Special Delivery.
"This is of little consolation to Anthony who now faces an automatic three-match ban. No-one can say, of course, whether the appeal would have been successful, but if The Royal Mail would have delivered the parcel on time, at least his case would have been heard."
Gerrard misses the League Two games against Macclesfield Town and Bristol Rovers, as well the Carling Cup clash with Bolton Wanderers.