FA rejects calls to extend ban for Birmingham's Taylor
Tuesday, 18 Mar 2008 18:05
Martin Taylor could return against Reading
The Football Association (FA) has rejected calls from Fifa to increase the ban on
Birmingham City's Martin Taylor after his tackle broke
Arsenal striker Eduardo's leg.
Taylor received a straight red card during the game at St Andrews last month and was handed an automatic three match ban.
The Birmingham defender has now served the ban and could return against
Reading on Saturday.
Fifa's disciplinary chief Marcel Marthier though recently called on the FA to consider extending the ban.
However, a spokesman for the FA said today that it would set a "dangerous" precedent if Taylor's ban was extended.
"It would be unreasonable at this stage of the season to change our disciplinary procedures purely on the basis of one case," the spokesman said.
"That would be a dangerous precedent to set.
"Serious foul play carries a three-match ban and the only cases where that has been increased is where there has been a clear case of intent and no-one is suggesting that happened in this case," he added.
"We will be reviewing our procedures at the end of the season and consulting with the whole game, and dangerous tackles are certainly an area we will be looking at.
"We will also be requesting a meeting with Fifa for their input."
Taylor is set to play in a reserves game against Tottenham tonight.