FA overturns two red cards from same bad-tempered Championship clash

FA overturns two red cards from same bad-tempered Championship clash Millwall midfielder Jenson Metcalfe and Bolton's Josh Sheehan have had their red cards from their recent Championship clash overturned on appeal. The pair were sent off after clashing late on in Millwall's 4-0 win over the Trotters last Saturday, which led to a huge brawl between both sets of players. 4 Sheehan was shown a straight red card following a run-in with Millwall's Jenson Metcalfe Credit: Getty 4 The scuffle happened in the closing stages of the match Credit: Getty Tempers flared after a rough challenge between Metcalfe and Sheehan in the 86th minute. Sheehan ended up on top of Metcalfe, with his shin pressing against the back of his opponent's neck. The Millwall midfielder then appeared to lunge onto his Bolton rival while the players were off the ball. Almost immediately, both were shown straight red cards for violent conduct, as a melee then unfolded between the two opposing teams. Even substitutes ended up rushing onto the pitch in ugly scenes, before things gradually calmed down. FA issue statements While Metcalfe and Sheehan looked to be staring at respective three-match bans, it was then announced on Tuesday that both clubs have been successful in appealing against them. An FA spokesperson revealed the two players had seen their suspensions overturned on the grounds of wrongful dismissal. Regarding Metcalfe, an FA spokesperson wrote: "Jenson Metcalfe's three-match suspension has been removed following a successful claim of wrongful dismissal. "On Saturday 5 September, the Millwall midfielder was sent off against Bolton Wanderers for violent conduct." At the same time on Tuesday morning, a similar statement was issued revealing Sheehan had also been granted a reprieve. 4 Jenson Metcalfe had appeared to react angrily following a challenge from Josh Sheehan, but both players have now seen their red cards rescinded Credit: Getty Another FA communication read: "Josh Sheehan will be available for Bolton Wanderers' next three matches after a successful appeal of wrongful dismissal. "The player was sent off for violent conduct during their EFL Championship match against Millwall on Saturday 5 September." The news now means that Metcalfe will be available for Millwall's Carabao Cup third round tie against Newcastle on Tuesday night. The clash marks the first meeting between the Lions and the Magpies since 1993. Meanwhile Sheehan is free to play for Bolton against West Ham in the Championship the same evening. This comes as a welcome boost for both teams, with Jenson and Sheehan both key players, having started all five of the two EFL teams' league games this term. 4 Sheehan has played every minute of Bolton's Championship campaign so far - apart from the final five minutes against Millwall Credit: Getty Their clash on Saturday came on an eventful weekend in the second tier, which also saw a heated incident in Portsmouth's game against Cardiff. In the Fratton Park meeting, Cardiff defender Krystian Bielik appeared to grab a young Portsmouth fan by the neck. Bielik had been trying to retrieve the ball in front of the home fans, before a young-looking supporter proceeded to throw it over his head, prompting the player to angrily grab him around his neck. Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy claimed that Bielik had been slapped in the face during the altercation, with Portsmouth manager John Mousinho apologising for what happened. The Polish centre-back has been widely condemned for his actions, with talkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface calling for him to be handed a season-long ban.