Palios pledges to improve process

MARK PALIOS has promised “the improvement everybody requires” after the FA unveiled a code designed to speed up the disciplinary process.

Wed, 17 Mar, 2004 - 00:00

The FA chief executive said he had been persistently asked for disciplinary proceedings to be speeded up.

The code will be put in place next season as a pilot scheme in the Premier League, Football League and Nationwide Conference.

“From next season we shall see the improvement everyone requires,” said Palios.

Under the code, suspensions will take effect immediately unless a claim for wrongful dismissal is lodged by the next working day. Suspensions currently take effect 14 days after a game.

Appeals will only be permitted for bans exceeding three matches. More complex cases, such as child protection and financial matters, will be dealt with within 28 days.

Bans from an accumulation of yellow cards will come into effect seven days after the last card.

A code of conduct for doping matters will be unveiled at the end of the month.