FA deliver verdict on Rotherham United's appeal over Jamal Baptiste red card
ROTHERHAM United have won their appeal over the sending-off of Jamal Baptiste and the defender is free to face Peterborough United on New Year's Day.
The Sheffield United loanee had been facing a three-match ban after being shown a straight red card for a challenge on Zac Ashworth in the League One clash at Blackpool on Monday night.
The Millers contested the verdict and the FA have agreed that referee Ollie Yates was wrong to dismiss the 22-year-old in the 58th minute of a 4-0 win for the home side.
Baptiste's challenge was a hard one, but it was only one-footed and he clearly took the ball without making contact with his opponent who fell over him.
Ashworth made the most of the incident and stayed down before getting up and playing on.
Rotherham manager Matt Hamshaw said at the time that he was “gobsmacked” by the ref's decision.
He added: “I felt that ‘Bap’ won the ball and then the leg of the other player kicked his shin pad. The referee's seen it a different way. That's on the referee.”
The Millers have two home games coming up as they seek to exit the drop zone - against Peterborough tomorrow and Mansfield Town on Sunday.
Baptiste's availability is a real boost as he has been one of the club's best performers in recent weeks.