Kevin Phillips hits out over ‘ridiculous’ FA decision as West Brom-Livermore appeal rejected
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Kevin Phillips has hit out at the FA after West Brom failed to have Jake Livermore’s red card rescinded.
Livermore, 32, was sent off for violent conduct in the defeat to Huddersfield last week after a high challenge on Frazier Campbell.
While replays suggest that Campbell ducked into the challenge and Livermore’s leg wasn’t really over waist-height, the FA rejected Albion’s appeal earlier this week and a three-match ban was upheld.
Phillips has taken aim at the FA for prioritising defending their referees rather than seeking justice in their decision making.
“Livermore can count himself unlucky,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“It’s a similar scenario to Ryan Woods when he was sent off [for Birmingham City] and I thought that was a ridiculous decision.
“These people are reluctant to overturn decisions because they want to stick by their own, stick by the referee and show that he’s made the right decision.
“It’s harsh as you lose one of your senior players, one of your more consistent players and it breaks up that partnership with Alex Mowatt where they’ve done really well.
“West Brom could have done with their better players but then again, it happens to every side and it’s just whether you have those players who can do it when they stand in.”
Livermore missed the 0-0 draw with Blackpool on Tuesday night and will also be unavailable to play Nottingham Forest on Friday and Coventry next week.
He’s already been banned for one match this season due to accumulating five yellow cards.
In other West Brom news, Phillips is baffled by this “farcical” announcement about a Baggies player.
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