The Football Association has rejected Stoke City’s appeal and handed Charlie Adam a three match ban for his stamp on Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
Adam flew under the bad-boy radar this past weekend with referee Mike Jones and his fellow match officials missing the midfielder’s kick down on Giroud but the FA picked up the incident via video and have taken action.
After being charged by the FA on Tuesday, Adam vehemently denied the incident with Potters chairman Peter Coates describing the charge as “appalling.”
An appeal was filed but Adam’s violent conduct was found proven at an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Wednesday meaning he will miss the next three matches – against Norwich, West Ham and Aston Villa.
The decision left club chief executive Tony Scholes perplexed and hinting at unfair treatment, noting that “clubs like ours very rarely succeed in appeals to the FA.” The basis of Stoke’s defense concerned Adam’s apparent lack of intent.
“How can anybody other than Charlie say what intent was there?” Scholes questioned. “How can the FA possibly justify this decision in the light of recent incidents which were far worse at other clubs, which have gone unpunished?”
The rhetorical questions will likely go unanswered and Stoke will be left without a key component to their on-field success. The 28 year-old Scot has enjoyed a fantastic season this year, scoring six goals and registering three assists in 26 Premier League appearances.
Stoke currently sit 13th in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone.
