Posh have appealed the red card issued to Liam Shephard.
Peterborough United manager Steve Evans has today (Monday) confirmed that the club have appealed the red card issued to defender Liam Shephard in Saturday’s Sky Bet League One defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.
Shephard was dismissed for alleged ‘violent conduct’ in the second half and manager Evans has confirmed that he has spoken with the National Group Manager for the Professional Game Match Officials David Allison.
“We have officially, through the club secretary Liz Elsom, put an appeal on in on the Liam Shephard red card. It has to be said we have had great sympathy throughout football since Saturday evening and even the admission from the match referee on Saturday night, who by all accounts had a poor game as far as the Posh are concerned, there is no doubt that having looked at the video evidence, he is very clear himself that there should not have been a card issued of any description.
“In fact the report does clearly say that he went on the decision of his assistant referee who is 50-60 yards away and I think that disappoints everyone. It is so far-fetched from the reality of the situation and when you watch the replays of it, it is hard to accept. My view of the incident is that my player has been run into and if anything it is a free-kick to the Posh.
“Young Graham Carey, who is a terrific talent, looks like he has gone for the Oscars as he is rolling around holding his face. He was lucky not to escape a caution in the first half for simulation, but he will learn and I am sure the Plymouth manager Derek Adams has had a word with him. Another surprising thing was to hear that Derek, who has done a superb job, saying that it was a deserved red card, I am not too sure he would be thinking that on Saturday night in his flat with a glass of wine.
“We expect a full, fair hearing from a disciplinary commission at the Football Association. I have had my issues with them personally in the past, but when it has been deserving, I have always put my hands up and accept it. We have all watched Sky Sports this morning and seen Dermot Gallagher, who was a fantastic referee in his time and he is very clear, ‘what is the card for?”. We will let that commission take place this week and we will expect a decision of the highest integrity which would say that it should be overturned. I am sure the referee will learn from it, he is a young referee and he will go on and get better, but he can’t get big decisions wrong in big games like he got the decision wrong in this one,” Evans said.
The Posh boss also confirmed that Steven Taylor will be dealt with internally for his second yellow card that he received in the aftermath of the penalty award in the final few minutes of the game.