YORK City skipper Peter Swan can appeal against his sending-off for alleged violent conduct against Chesterfield, it emerged today.
It was believed by the club red-carded players had no right of appeal unless over a case of mistaken identity. However, an FA spokeswoman today confirmed any player sent-off for violent conduct by a straight red-card could lodge an appeal.
Swan was dismissed for allegedly head-butting Chesterfield defender Steve Blatherwick during the 4-1 defeat and faces an automatic three-match ban.
York manager Terry Dolan admitted the situation was confusing and confessed City will now be up against the clock if they are to overturn the decision of referee Mark Clattenburg.
A representative from the Referees' Association, who visited the Bootham Crescent last week to outline the new rules, claimed sent-off players could only appeal over a case of mistaken identity.
"The problem we have got is that we have still to see what the referee's report says as to why he sent him off and we also need to get hold of the match video to see if that shows anything, otherwise we have no evidence," said Dolan.
City will receive a video of the match from Chesterfield but Dolan admitted it is unlikely it will show the incident that saw Swan receive his marching orders.
Yorkshire Television's coverage of the game had focused on the free-kick near the half-way line and missed the off-the-ball incident involving Swan and Chesterfield's Steve Blatherwick taking place in the Spireites' penalty area.
In better news for the City chief, goalkeeper Alan Fettis is expected to return to training later this week in readiness for Saturday's clash with Cheltenham.
Fettis suffered a badly bruised thigh on Saturday following a late challenge from Chesterfield skipper David Reeves and missed training yesterday and today.
Chesterfield have been ordered to pay Chester City £150,000 for the services of striker Luke Beckett by an FA tribunal.
The fee matches that offered by York for the forward just days before the Spireites tempted the player to Saltergate.
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