Toolstation NCEL Division One
Fernando Moke has been banned for more games than Paulo DiCanio was for shoving a referee to the ground
Yorkshire Amateur manager Phil Harding says that he shocked that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger only received a four-match touchline ban for pushing a match official.
Wenger was caught on camera making physical conduct with fourth official Anthony Taylor during Arsenal’s victory over Burnley last month.
Harding is angry because he is still upset over the four-month suspension that winger Fernando Moke was handed for the same offence back in October.
Moke is back in March and could have served a 20-match ban by then. He has currently missed 17 matches. It is currently six more than then-Sheffield Wednesday striker Paulo DiCanio served for shoving referee Paul Alcock to the floor in 1998.
Harding told Non League Yorkshire: “I couldn’t believe when Wenger only got a four match touchline ban.
“There’s absolutely no consistency. Whilst Fernando deserved a ban because you can’t push a ref, it was a little tap compared with Wenger’s. I’m also annoyed because Ferdy can’t play anywhere, Saturday, Sunday or even in a five-a-side league whereas Wenger can still sit in the stand and be involved.
“To miss 17 games and don’t forget it could rise to 20, is ridiculous and completely unfair. And the fact that Paulo DiCanio got less than Ferdy when he actually pushed the ref to the ground makes a mockery of the whole thing.”
The Ammers host Hallam tomorrow.