Stoke successful with Geoff Cameron appeal
Soccer News: Stoke have been successful in their appeal against the red card Geoff Cameron received in the defeat at West Brom on Saturday. The 30-year-old US international can play in Capital One Cup semi-final v Liverpool.
Cameron was facing a three-match suspension having been sent off for violent conduct by referee Lee Mason after pushing Claudio Yacob in the back of the neck during the Barclays Premier League game at the Hawthorns.
But the Potters announced on Monday they were appealing, and a subsequent statement from the Football Association said: “Geoff Cameron has had his three-match suspension withdrawn with immediate effect after his wrongful dismissal claim was successful.”
“An Independent Regulatory Commission found that the match referee had made an obvious error in dismissing the Stoke City player for violent conduct during the game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.” Cameron is now available for Tuesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool at home.
The 30-year-old United States international had walked in the final 10 minutes of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat after he responded with the push on Yacob to a challenge from the Albion midfielder.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes said in his post-match comments that he felt the Baggies man over-reacted to ensure the visitors were left with 10 men.
And before the news of the appeal being successful came through, Hughes added on Monday: “We thought he (Cameron) was a little bit hard done by.
“We think Yacob made a meal of it and was hoping there would be a sanction for Geoff. We didn’t feel it warranted a red card.
“Having seen the incident back again, we weren’t quite sure the referee got a clear view of it because there were people in his way.
“I felt a couple of the West Brom players didn’t cover themselves in glory to be honest.
“From our point of view, yes, there are certain situations where you have to be careful and you don’t react to them, but then you also have to hope the referee sees it for what it is.”
On Saturday, Mark Hughes had accused Claudio Yacob of getting Geoff Cameron sent off after Stoke slipped to a 2-1 defeat at West Brom. Jonny Evans’ injury-time winner capped late drama after Cameron was dismissed minutes after Jonathan Walters had levelled for Stoke. Cameron walked with nine minutes left after he pushed Yacob in the back of the neck following the Argentinian’s challenge.
But Hughes felt the Baggies midfielder over-reacted to ensure the Potters were left with 10 men at The Hawthorns and will consider appealing.
He said after the game, “We weren’t too happy with the reaction of the lad Yacob to be perfectly honest. I thought he has gone down with the intention of maybe getting Geoff sent off and unfortunately for us that’s what he’s able to do. We’ll have a look at it on Sunday and make a decision on whether or not we appeal.”
The appeal was successful but its impact can not be reversed. Hughes felt the late red played a huge part in Evans’ injury-time winner.
Hughes said, “We certainly didn’t play anywhere near like we’re capable of.”
