Post by Taxigirl on Sept 16, 2004 8:04:33 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/3659098.stm
Wales midfielder Robbie Savage is considering legal action to overturn his red card against Northern Ireland.
The 29-year-old reacted to a foul by Michael Hughes and both were sent off in the World Cup qualifier last week.
Under Fifa rules Savage will get an automatic ban and will miss next month's qualifier against England.
With no right of appeal Savage has consulted lawyer Mel Goldberg, who is prepared to argue that the ban contravenes the player's human rights.
"When someone gets a red card there's automatic suspension immediately, no appeal, no representation, and you have to accept it," Goldberg said.
"We think it's unfair, maybe contrary to human rights that you can have no representation even if the referee has made a mistake. That is what we are considering.
"We take the view that it is harsh because people make mistakes, and in every other walk of life you have a right to appeal and ask them to have a look to see if there is an error."
Savage's legal team have sent videos of the incident to world football's governing body and are hoping to discuss the matter with Fifa officials.
If referee Domenico Messina is deemed to have made an "obvious error in the referee's disciplinary decision", then it is possible for the suspension to be overturned.
But if Fifa decides against this, Goldberg could embark on a landmark court case - although he is keen to find a solution.
"We would hope to keep it out of court. Our job is to resolve these matters to everybody's satisfaction," Goldberg added.
"There are other areas one could consider. There's the court of arbitration in Switzerland, an arbitration court for football or ultimately the high court in England."
Wales midfielder Robbie Savage is considering legal action to overturn his red card against Northern Ireland.
The 29-year-old reacted to a foul by Michael Hughes and both were sent off in the World Cup qualifier last week.
Under Fifa rules Savage will get an automatic ban and will miss next month's qualifier against England.
With no right of appeal Savage has consulted lawyer Mel Goldberg, who is prepared to argue that the ban contravenes the player's human rights.
"When someone gets a red card there's automatic suspension immediately, no appeal, no representation, and you have to accept it," Goldberg said.
"We think it's unfair, maybe contrary to human rights that you can have no representation even if the referee has made a mistake. That is what we are considering.
"We take the view that it is harsh because people make mistakes, and in every other walk of life you have a right to appeal and ask them to have a look to see if there is an error."
Savage's legal team have sent videos of the incident to world football's governing body and are hoping to discuss the matter with Fifa officials.
If referee Domenico Messina is deemed to have made an "obvious error in the referee's disciplinary decision", then it is possible for the suspension to be overturned.
But if Fifa decides against this, Goldberg could embark on a landmark court case - although he is keen to find a solution.
"We would hope to keep it out of court. Our job is to resolve these matters to everybody's satisfaction," Goldberg added.
"There are other areas one could consider. There's the court of arbitration in Switzerland, an arbitration court for football or ultimately the high court in England."