Andy Cook loses appeal over Walsall ‘elbow’ red
Andy Cook will miss Walsall’s next three games after his red card against Bradford was upheld by the FA following an appeal.
The striker, who is the club’s top scorer on 16 goals, was dismissed for an alleged elbow on Nat Knight-Percival last weekend.
Despite the dismissal – which came in the sixth minute – Walsall went on to win a thrilling game 3-2 at the Banks’s Stadium.
But manager Dean Keates revealed he opted to appeal the red card due to video footage suggesting Cook made contact on the defender with his chest rather than his elbow.
However, the FA rejected the appeal at a hearing held on Tuesday and Cook will now miss Saturday’s trip to Burton as well as the matches against Fleetwood and Portsmouth.
As well as rescinding the red card, the FA could have also reduced the ban from one game to three.
And Keates admitted he is disappointed he will now be without his leading marksman until mid-March.
“We had a look back at the incident and we thought we had a case but unfortunately it has been rejected,” the boss said.
“Did I expect it to be rescinded? If I am honest, no.
“Is there any contact off his elbow? No. His arm as he has jumped, he has used it for leverage.
“His arm is up but there is absolutely no contact with his elbow, the lad has just headed his torso.
“We were hoping to get the red card completely rescinded but it has stayed at the three games.
“There was a possibility it could have gone down to one game but it has stayed at three.”
