Mills was dismissed in the first half by referee Keith Stroud for ‘serious foul play’ despite it looking like nothing more than a 50/50 tackle. Even Ipswich manager Roy Keane admitted that is was nothing more than a yellow card.
However after the appeal was heard on Thursday, the FA have decided that Mills red card will stand and he will have to serve a four game ban. The extra game is because it was his second red card of the season, following his dismissal for hand ball at Doncaster in February.
Mills will now miss the games at Cardiff, on Saturday, as well as Newcastle, Peterborough and Scunthorpe. He will be able to return for the final 2 games of the season against Watford and Preston.
This is a massive blow to any hopes the Royals had of making the play offs and leaves us with only 2 available centre backs for the next 4 games, Zurab Kizhanishvili and Alex Pearce. The return of Kalifa Cisse from injury could see him deployed as an emergency centre back through.
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What an ridiculous decision, I don’t know how these appeals work but I’m sure Stroud would have got to look at it again? And he still thinks its a red card? This guy should be struck off.
Gives Alex Pearce a great chance in the team though, could make or break whether he is a Reading player next season.
I don’t think a ref has EVER admitted an error at an appeal though… Stroud has a reputation for dishing out cards wily nily but still gets games because the FA have to stand behind their respect campaign. Mills was lucky he didn’t get a further game ban (to 5) for actually appealling – as has happened in some cases this season.
Refs would get much more respect if they looked at a decision and said ‘I’m sorry I’ve got that one totally wrong’. Stroud is just as bad as Attwell (I’m sure Watford fans have even stronger opinions on him!), but I’m sure both will have games in Prem / Champ this weekend.