FA guilty of preferential treatment?

Tonight the County Ground plays host to the battle of the birds as The Robins take on The Canaries in the Johnstones Paint Trophy Area Quarter Finals. The home fans will desperately welcome the return of midfielder Jonathan Douglas who has finally come to the end of his ludicrous 4 match ban which saw outrage emanate from the Swindon Town board room and manager's office. Douglas saw an automatic 3 match ban for a questionable straight red card in a high-tempered game at the County Ground against Millwall. Feeling that the Reds' case for appeal was strong, the County Ground officials put together a package that questioned the 3 match ban for a tackle that warranted a caution at most. The FA shot down the appeal in what seemed like a plea for respect and outrageously added an extra game sidelining Douglas for a total of 4 games.

Today, exactly a month since Douglas saw red, there have been at least 2 identical situations, where suspension appeals have been thrown out by the FA. For some reason however, the players in question escaped an extended suspension, baffling County Ground officials and fans alike. Darcy Blake of Plymouth was dismissed in a 1-1 draw with fellow Championship struggles Ipswich Town. Plymouth's appeal against the 3 match ban was ignored, but they faced no similar repercussions as Swindon did. Philipp Degen of Premiership outfit Liverpool was given his marching orders in their 3-1 defeat at Fulham's craven cottage. Again, the appeal was thrown out, but now extension to the 3 match ban was given. The point here being that nobody wants to see the suspension of these players extended, more so an explanation of the almost preferential treatment to two bigger clubs.

In similar circumstances, I make my return after 3 weeks with no football. Its been a long time coming and I'm positively buzzing about tonight. Though the atmosphere will almost certainly be dead at SN1 as the Johnstones Paint Trophy ties continue to struggle to appeal to the more casual supporter, it won't put a damper on my evening. Come on you Reds!