Joey Barton has blasted the Football Association for having “no soul” after Bristol Rovers believed they had sufficient evidence to get Paul Coutts’ red card overturned, only for their appeal to be rejected.
Coutts was sent off in injury time of Rovers’ 4-3 win at Rochdale last Saturday for violent conduct following an off the ball incident which wasn’t captured by the broadcast cameras nor many of the supporters in attendance at Spotland.
This week, Rovers submitted two separate analyst videos plus a witness statement from Rochdale striker Josh Andrews which challenged referee Ross Joyce’s original decision, but it proved unsuccessful and Coutts must now serve a four-match ban.
Violent conduct carries an automatic three-match suspension but because it was Coutts' second dismissal of the campaign an extra match is added.
“It’s a blow, especially when we’ve had their lad as a great character witness for Couttsy,” Barton said. “It’s almost as if you’ve got no soul; they are emotionless bodies who look over these games.
“I saw Vinicius Jnr do exactly what Couttsy did last night (Real Madrid vs Manchester City) and he didn’t get booked, they played on. I’ve seen worse of what Couttsy did and they play on, where they have VAR and they’ve gone back to it.
“One of their players very kindly wrote a statement as to what had gone on but it fell on deaf ears. I don’t know why you bother appealing it, it’s a fruitless task.
“We weren’t expecting any favours but you’d hope they show some common sense, ending someone’s season, but I can’t see the FA helping me out, can you?
“But, again, he’s got to not give the referee the option. He’ll pay the price but he’s been superb all season and he’s absolutely gutted the way his season is going to end but now it’s over to the rest of the lads.”
Coutts will be forced to watch Rovers’ season-ending fixture against Scunthorpe United from the West Stand of the Mem as the Gas look to claim third place and the final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
In normal circumstances, his place would be taken by veteran and fellow dressing room leader Glenn Whelan but given the Gas are hunting goals - potentially needing to outscore Northampton by five - Barton may consider flooding his midfield with creative attacking player and fielding Elliot Anderson slightly deeper allowing for Antony Evans, Luke Thomas and Harry Anderson all to start.
“We’ve always spoken about that if we get there (promotion), it’ll be a group effort - there will be heroes at different junctions and the last period in our season is not going to change that,” Barton added. “They’ll come in now and add to the story of our season.”
Should Rovers fall just short of automatic promotion and require the play-offs to try and progress into League One, Coutts will be ruled out of both semi-final legs and the final at Wembley. If the Gas are successful on Saturday, the Scot will be absent from their first three matches of next season.
