Charlton Athletic boss Bowyer: I’m baffled that Lyle Taylor’s suspension has been upheld

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer has spoken of his unhappiness at Lyle Taylor’s ban being upheld – and has questioned the decisions made by the FA disciplinary panel.

The Addicks appealed the striker’s three game ban but saw it rejected on Tuesday.

Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Jonny Maxted, who was also dismissed as the pair clashed following a corner, had his punishment quashed.

Accrington midfielder Sam Finley had landed a four-game suspension for violent conduct – the same charge as Taylor – after stamping on the floored striker’s head during a melee in the box.

Stanley have also been charged for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion – reacting angrily following the late decision to give Charlton a penalty which was converted by Karlan Grant.

Bowyer said: “I don’t understand how the goalkeeper got overturned and Lyle hasn’t. 

“I saw the referee’s assessor after the game on Saturday and he came back to me on Monday morning and said ‘Lee, I think you’ve got very good grounds for an appeal – I can’t see what he has done wrong.

“I’m just baffled it hasn’t been overturned.

“If you are telling me that’s a straight red – he has pushed them away because he [Maxted] was on top of him. If his arms had been free and reached [the keeper] he would have used his arms to push him.

“The fella was leaning on his legs. There was no malice, no violent conduct. 

“Are you telling me their lad [Finley] only deserves one more game for what he did, compared to what Lyle done? I’m not saying it because I want the fella to get more punishment. That’s nothing to do with me. But you can’t tell me there is one game’s difference between the two things. That’s what I mean, the system is wrong.”

PICTURE BY PAUL EDWARDS