FA think again on Jenas 'booking'
The Football Association was today reviewing the decision to downgrade Jermaine Jenas’ red card against Arsenal following advice from FIFA.
Disciplinary chiefs at Soho Square were contacted by the game’s governing body, after referee Steve Bennett asked for the midfielder’s dismissal for a challenge on Gilberto in Sunday’s Barclays Premiership match to be reduced to a caution.
However, it is understood FIFA have warned the FA that their regulations include no basis for appeal against a red card other than in the case of mistaken identity.
Newcastle indicated they would appeal against Bennett’s decision, which left them playing with 10 men for almost an hour at Highbury – although they did not need to, because the official moved swiftly to address the situation.
“We can confirm we have received communication from FIFA and we will be reviewing our position and responding to that,” an FA spokesman said today.
The review will consider the procedures involved before a response is made.
Jenas would have miss three matches had his sending-off been allowed to stand, and both he and manager Graeme Souness will hope FIFA’s intervention does not spark a further change of heart.
