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Laws fuming at Smith ban increase
BRIAN Laws is furious over the four-match suspension handed out to Owls midfield player Jimmy Smith.
The FA added an extra game to Smith's ban for his sending-off at Birmingham because they ruled that his appeal had not had any chance of succeeding.
Laws believes that the red card was harsh and felt that Smith had a genuine case.
He contrasted the FA commission's verdict with that on Sheffield United defender Matthew Kilgallon who appealed unsuccessfully against his dismissal at Hillsborough but did not have an extra match added.
"What really galls me is that I spoke the FA's disciplinary guy on Monday for about half an hour; he said a successful appeal was probably highly unlikely. He wasn't going to be in the meeting but it certainly wouldn't be deemed as frivolous. Yet that happened, which disappoints me."
The appeal cost the Owls 750. "We haven't got 750 to be frivolous with," added Laws. "If you look at this case and Sheffield United's, what's the difference?
"I'm very angry. I rang the disciplinary guy back and said some strong words. I can't make it public; we're supposed to be careful in what we say and give out the right messages. I'm very disappointed with the way this has been approached; to call the appeal frivolous is ridiculous."
Laws contends that Smith merely jumped for a header and did not make contact. Ref Paul Taylor appeared to rule that the midfielder deliberately tried to hurt the opponent.
Wednesday were also still without James O'Connor and Mark Beevers last night as they lost 1-0 to Plymouth but it is hoped that both will be fit for Saturday's match at Crystal Palace. Beevers is virtually over a hip injury and might well have played last night had he not been feeling unwell.
Richard Wood went off in the 57th minute as he too had been suffering from a bug.
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