Preston praise ‘professional’ Griffith
Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith has been praised for his “professional manner” by Preston North End after he provided a statement backing the club’s appeal to get a red card rescinded.
I would like to thank Port Vale’s Anthony Griffith for his co-operation in this manner, he has acted in a thoroughly professional manner…
Preston’s Neil Kilkenny was sent-off during Tuesday night’s game against Vale but his dismissal was a case of mistaken identity with Joe Garner involved in the incident. When Preston appealed that red card, Griffith provided a statement confirming that Garner had not hit him.
However, despite Griffith’s help, Garner has been issued with a three match ban by the FA. Preston manager Simon Grayson told the official Preston website that: “The Port Vale player involved in the incident put in writing that at no stage did Joe Garner strike him.
“We are therefore dumbfounded as to what basis the FA can decide to ban Joe Garner. We are hugely disappointed. We felt we had supplied sufficient evidence to think the decision would be overturned.
“I would like to thank Port Vale’s Anthony Griffith for his co-operation in this manner, he has acted in a thoroughly professional manner, it’s a shame the FA’s panel were not willing to trust his word and come to a decision to clear Joe.”