Leeds United: FA rejects Mowatt red card appeal

The midfielder’s appeal against his dismissal was rejected by the Football Association today, ruling him out of clashes with Reading, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City.

Mowatt was sent off by referee Chris Kavanagh for a sliding tackle on Birmingham’s Ryan Shotton in the closing seconds of Leeds’ 2-1 victory at St Andrews.

Speaking ahead of the appeal, head coach Steve Evans said: “If the right decision happens it’ll be overturned.

“It’s a hard, firm, strong challenge. Maybe some would argue that it’s a yellow card if you were looking back at it. I don’t think many people could look back and say it’s a red card.

“Alex Mowatt doesn’t have a bad tackle in him. If he was inside a crisp bag he wouldn’t get out. He’s about technical ability.”

Leeds have not been successful with an appeal against a red card for fully nine years. The last dismissal overturned by the club was Alan Thompson's away at Southampton in April 2007.