Power 3 Match Ban

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero faced no further action when the ref failed to deal with his two-footed tackle on on Chelsea’s David Luiz last April. The norm for violent conduct is a 3-4 match ban but governing bodies can add longer to set an example. Let us hope the FA will also not want to add to the ban Lincoln City Captain Alan Power is sure to face after his two-footed studs up challenge on Cambridge Utd’s Taylor yesterday.

Thank you for reading Neil Gentleman-Hobbs

The FA could not have acted in the case of Aguero incident due to a loop-hole although they can  with Power.  Under FA regulations, if the official is deemed to have seen the episode as a whole, the incident cannot be re-refereed following the match.  However if it had happened off the ball and away from referee Foy’s field of vision then Aguero  would have peen punished retrospectively. Power has seen red of course so he will get a ‘three’ unless the ref’s report is damning.

Power put in a two-footed challenge on Taylor in injury time to end any lingering hopes the Imps had of salvaging a draw.  The linesman immediately put his flag up with the straight red inevitable even before the ensuing challenge.  The Sergio Aguero two- footer, described as a stab tackle, divided the football world but the FA decided against setting a precedent and ordering a retrospective ban. The FA have the prerogative to add to the mandatory 3-4 match ban handed out by referees who supply a report of the incident to the powers that be.

It was an ugly challenge, no doubt about it, but there was no malice as Power is not that sort of player. He has strengthened the defensive side to his game this season, but the mistimed tackle looked worse than it thankfully was.  Taylor, on as a sub was overlapping at pace, with both players going for the ball – indeed both had studs showing.

The captain certainly merits a mandatory ban for his poor choice, but anything further would be unjust.  Luke Foster looks a good candidate to take the captain’s armband for Monday.

Good luck Alan.