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Neil Harris Reacts To Tim Cahill’s Three-Match Ban
Millwall manager Neil Harris has accepted Tim Cahill’s three-match retrospective ban for violent conduct but believes FA’s judging panel needs to be more consistent after two similar incidents went unpunished over the weekend. The Australia international was charged after elbowing Fulham’s Ryan Fredericks in a 3-0 defeat after the action was not initially spotted on the field.
Speaking to News at Den, Harris highlighted his disappointment over the veteran’s absence but confirmed the marksman would still travel with the squad for their trip to Middlesbrough, he said: “Taking the Tim incident as an isolated one, we don’t condone the challenge, he’s gone for the ball and his momentum has carried him through and he’s caught Freddo. We accept the three-match ban and we move on. We’re disappointed but what won’t change is Tim’s influence around the club, at the training ground. He will travel with us to Boro. He can’t play but he will still be a big part of the group. He takes responsibility and he has put out his own statement (below). My disappointment is that I lose a player from the squad for the last two games.”
Whilst continuing on the same matter, Harris wanted more consistency from the FA after they failed to punish Cottagers striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who appeared to have deliberately caught Cahill with a flailing arm. Meanwhile, West Brom’s Ahmed Hegazi also went unpunished for a visible punch on Liverpool’s Danny Ings and the three-man panel was unable to come to a unanimous decision on both occasions.
With the Fulham defeat, Millwall find themselves in a difficult position to reach the playoffs and they face a must-win game against Middlesbrough this weekend. Millwall loss to Fulham was their first in the Championship since New Year’s Day where they were downed by Norwich City.