Hammers FA moves may bring down appeal system

West Ham are hitting the FA on two fronts as they bid to get Andy Carroll onto the pitch at Villa Park this weekend.

In a series of moves that could even end with a High Court appearance and injunction on Friday, they are arguing that

O the ruling body is acting against “the rules of natural justice”

O and  the claim there has to be an “obvious error” in the referee’s decision to overturn to red card!

West Ham believe that statement in itself is fundamentally flawed as it doesn’t appear in the FA or Premier League rule book.

As a result they are mounting a challenge which, despite a source claiming to us is  “a long shot,” is beginning to look as though it may have real legs.

Our source said: “The FA may be in an awkward situation because if other red cards have failed to be rescinded on a non existent rule there could be a flood of retrospective claims against the FA.”

A letter  believed to have been written by Lord David Pannick QC on behalf of the club says the structure of the FA appeal process is legally flawed.

If the FA refuse a new hearing it is thought the Hammers will seek a high court injunction to allow Andy Carroll to play on Saturday.

Some observers believe that if the Irons win their case it could easily bring down the current appeal panel system completely.

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon