Garner slams 'crazy' protocols as Reed set for ban

BEN GARNER called the FA's appeal protocols 'crazy' after Swindon Town were unable to lodge an appeal for Louie Reed's red card in Tuesday's victory against Sutton United which will now see the midfielder miss two games, starting with tomorrow's trip to Crawley. Total Sport Swindon's Ryan Walker spoke to the Swindon Town Head Coach this morning.

Having been shown an initial yellow card in the 35th minute against Sutton, Reed was then shown a second in the 92nd minute after the referee deemed he had dived, with the Swindon midfielder subsequently shown a red card for the accumulation.

"It was a non-starter [the appeal] as there was no protocol to appeal a red card that comes from two yellow cards. 

"I find that crazy and something needs to change. You have a player booked for simulation when there was clear contact and we've got photographic and video evidence that shows that and he now has a two-game ban because of it.

"I just find it crazy. Even if the referee admits he made a mistake there is no protocol in place for you to appeal that. 

"For me, it's like sentencing someone to a prison sentence, then looking at the evidence and saying you're innocent but it's manslaughter, not murder so you still have got to serve the sentence," he said.

"I spoke to the PGMOL and they were very good but their hands are tired. 

"It's not down to them it's the restrictions in place from the FA that you can't appeal it. They looked at the process, were very sympathetic and tried to help but there is no option to do that.

"That's something that needs to be looked at because if someone has received a second yellow and ends up with a ban when it was a clear mistake as there will be every season, then it should be able to be rescinded afterwards so the player isn't punished for something he hasn't done," said Garner.

Reed's ban means Ryan East will now start in his place for this weekend's trip to Crawley, with the Swindon head coach quick to praise the 23-year-old despite the midfielder's lack of game time this season.

"It is what it is and Louie Reed is disappointed. We're fortunate that we have other good players in the building and the likes of Ryan East that can come in and play. He is an excellent footballer in his own right and will have to come and take his opportunity.

"Ryan East has been unlucky not to play more this season, he played in the Carabao Cup, played very well in the EFL Trophy and in several league games. It's an opportunity for him to come in, show his quality and show what a top player he is and push Reedy to try and get the shirt from him which is what we want," he said.