English FA agrees to hear Jamaican Ricketts red-card appeal

Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts (Photo by
Youngs Photoreflect Images)

by Gary Smith 
Caribbean Net News Correspondent
Email: gary@caribbeannetnews.com 

Wednesday,  December 14, 2005

LONDON, England:  English Coca-Cola Football League One side Bradford City confirmed early Monday morning that the league’s Football Association (FA) will hear an appeal from Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts, who was sent off in the team’s 1-1 draw with Southend United at Roots Hall on Saturday.

Prior to Ricketts’ dismissal on Saturday, City immediately submitted a “fast-track” appeal to the FA. 

According to reports reaching Caribbean Net News, the Jamaican "was given his marching orders by referee Paul Armstrong after appearing to make an abusive gesture to the home fans behind his goal after his team scored."

"An offensive gesture was made to the crowd by the player which necessitates sending off," referee Armstrong said on Saturday. 

However, Ricketts deemed the dismissal was wrong and together with the club submitted an appeal, which the FA agreed to hear on Tuesday. 

The 28-year-old Jamaican goalkeeper was also spoken to by the police and insists he was only raising a finger to celebrate City's goal.

During the process of the game, a home supporter was arrested by Essex police and charged with a public order offence. 

Team manager demands consistency from officials 

Bradford's manager Collin Todd told the club’s website that the abuses to Ricketts was “outrageous“and demanded more consistency from the league’s officials.

"Supporters can say what they want but as soon as we react, we are the ones punished. The abuse that Donovan was taking was outrageous,” the manager said. 

"He is absolutely gutted about it because he hasn't really done anything to warrant being sent off.

"We are trying to stamp out racism in football but there is nobody to protect you from goading like that. When it is our poor keeper who gets punished then there is something seriously wrong.

"We were on top in that game until the sending off. But we showed character and discipline to get a deserved point - and that feels like a win."

Skipper supports Ricketts

Ricketts’ teammate and team captain David Wetherall also supported the reaction from the Jamaican, stating that he was only celebrating a goal.

"Everything is stacked in favour of the supporters and you have to try and keep a lid on it when you get abuse.

"I've never seen Donovan upset but being called things like that makes it very difficult not to have any reaction. Although I can't see what is wrong about gesturing 1-0 up."

Ricketts faces a two-match ban starting with Tuesday's FA Cup replay home match against Barnsley, if City's appeal does not succeed.

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