The FA has released written reasons behind their Independent Regulatory Commission’s decision to suspend Blues skipper Sam Morsy for four games following his clash with Accrington Stanley’s Ethan Hamilton.

Morsy was charged with violent conduct by the FA for the incident which took place just before the half hour in Town’s 2-1 victory over Stanley at Portman Road.

The referee, Geoff Eltringham, missed the incident at the time and had already submitted his report before emailing the FA after seeing video footage, which had been widely shared on social media following a tweet by Accrington chairman Andy Holt.

At the hearing held last Tuesday, Town provided additional evidence to the Commission, former players Stuart Ripley and Lawrie Sanchez and ex-referee Ray Olivier.

However, they felt it “was not easy to make out what had occurred from the footage provided by ITFC but it could be seen that SM [Morsy] raised his right arm and made contact with the Accrington player”.

The Commission believed the evidence of the footage conclusively illustrated a ‘serious missed incident’ of violent conduct.

“From the footage provided by the FA, all three Commission members felt that they could comfortably say that SM had deliberately struck his opponent in the face with his right hand as they came together.

“It was, to the mind of the Commission, clear that SM had rapidly jabbed his hand out towards the face of his opponent.”

The FA’s written reasons can be found in full here. Morsy has served two matches of his ban but will miss Saturday’s home game against Gillingham and next Tuesday’s trip to Doncaster Rovers.

Photo: Pagepix

grumpyoldman added 14:10 - Feb 1 Do think it strange that the two ex-players on the committee were not renowned for their great behaviour on the pitch, poacher turned gamekeeper comes to mind. Plus Ray Oliver was never that great a referee. But as others have stated if you raise your hand you are open to over reaction of opponents.
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62WasBest added 14:11 - Feb 1 It looked to me that the Accrington player attempted to hold hold Morsy back by sticking out an arm and Morsy responded likewise with the Accrington player accidentally turning into Morsy's outstretched arm. That was foul play countered by foul play but there was nothing to suggest that Morsy deliberately swung out a punch. Both players should have received a booking to my mind. Very often the player who initiates such incidents gets away scot free, as in this case. But of course, the FA never see that.

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BobbyBell added 14:45 - Feb 1 The message that this sends out is "Carry on diving and acting like you've been shot every time your touched deliberately or otherwise and we will back you up". They need to stop all this play acting and trying to get players booked or sent off. Any player who rolls around play acting should also receive a yellow card. Deliberate diving gets a yellow and this sort of things should too.

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Steelmonkey added 14:48 - Feb 1 I've mentioned this on other comments but virtually the same thing happened when Norwood came on, Stanley's right back put his arm out and grappled with Norwood he retaliated by pushing him back no real difference in the two incidents either player could have been accused of putting hands up, but again missed by all the officials. It was the worst display of falling down by a visiting team since Oxford played here.

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Steelmonkey added 15:09 - Feb 1 I've mentioned this on other comments but virtually the same thing happened when Norwood came on, Stanley's right back put his arm out and grappled with Norwood he retaliated by pushing him back no real difference in the two incidents either player could have been accused of putting hands up, but again missed by all the officials. It was the worst display of falling down by a visiting team since Oxford played here.

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Monkey_Blue added 15:34 - Feb 1 If from the footage it was difficult to make out exactly what happened how can they find “conclusively”? 🤔
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RonFearonsHair added 16:22 - Feb 1 I wonder how Edmundson got the shiner he is still walking around with? A fair challenge from an Accrington player? I guess we'll never know, because he managed just to get on with things without creating an embarrassing fuss about the incident. Would rather support players like that than wimps like Hamilton.
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churchmans added 16:25 - Feb 1 The rules should be the same for players diving and dropping to the floor like they have been shot
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Bert added 17:30 - Feb 1 The AS player led with his arm which meant our player intuitively did the same. The contact was minor yet the AS player spun around on the ground as if he had been floored in a boxing match. That is what I saw 25 metres away. The retrospective process is inconsistent, flawed and in need of overhaul. Get Sue Gray to do it !
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chepstowblue added 19:05 - Feb 1 I think this incident has been frowned upon because Morsy acted like a sh*thouse and delivered a cheap shot. I can't defend him. Modern day footballers are such pathetic abhorrent creatures, Morsy for raising his hands, Hamilton for overreacting. Morsy was the aggressor here, and if the Accrington chairman hadn't mentioned it the guys on quest certainly highlighted it. One way or another he was always getting done for it. Captains need to be a bit more responsible.

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KiwiTractor added 19:14 - Feb 1 Some have said that Hamilton struck the first blow - to me it looks like he tried to grab SM not hit him. Regardless he should be embarrassed about the way he acted after the contact - that is also cheating and deserves a ban too.
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OliveR16 added 19:34 - Feb 1 Lawrie Sanchez making this judgment is like Boris Johnson punishing us for meeting socially.
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cranky_old_tractor added 20:40 - Feb 1 Poor decision. Both players should have been penalised and not just Morsy
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Bluroo added 21:11 - Feb 1 The whole thing is laughable. Difficult to make anything out but at the same time the strike to the face was clear. Pffff… And the “intent” was clear. How pray tell does one “see” intent? Prejudiced… Surely the player making contact with SM first was equally clear and intended? If not… Total kangaroo court. Best just move on. It's only cost us a point so far…
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Edmundo added 12:48 - Feb 2 And when is the aerial challenge on Celina being trialled??
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