Chelsea and QPR bosses united in calling for FA to change

QPR manager Mark Hughes and Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo have called for the Football Association to change its disciplinary procedure.

It comes after both clubs failed with appeals against suspensions imposed on their players over the Easter period.

Chelsea contested Branislav Ivanovic’s violent-conduct charge following an incident involving Wigan’s Shaun Maloney, but the Serbian defender’s three-match ban was upheld.

Rangers, meanwhile, attempted to have Shaun Derry’s controversial red card against Manchester United rescinded.

Interim Chelsea boss Di Matteo insists the FA must show more consistency, while Hughes believes the appeals process should be more transparent.

Di Matteo said: “I think everyone is looking for consistency in the decision-making.

“That’s what is most important for everybody, all the stakeholders involved – consistency. They would have to review the decision-making and the way they give these bans, and hopefully come up with a more balanced outcome.”

QPR claim they have not even been given an explanation for the decision to reject their appeal against Derry’s dismissal.

The midfielder was sent off for bringing down Ashley Young, although contact was minimal – and the United player was in an offside position.

Hughes said: “When you go to an appeal, in terms of the manner of the response or the indication you get from the FA of their decision-making, maybe more information needs to be made available so everyone’s clear about why a decision’s been made.

“We’re still a little bit in the dark in terms of why it was deemed to be an unsuccessful appeal. A little bit more information in that situation would help everybody.

“It would give ourselves – players, managers and clubs – more understanding of the thought process and the way the FA go about their process.”

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