Appeal against Robbie Benson's red card rejected by FAI

An appeal against a straight red card issued to Dundalk midfielder Robbie Benson has been rejected by an independent appeals committee of the FAI.

Benson (30), a native of Mayfield Grove in Athlone, received the first red card of his career from referee Arnold Hunter for a first half challenge on Lee Grace during Friday's league fixture against Shamrock Rovers.

Afterwards, Dundalk manager Stephen O'Donnell vowed to appeal the decision, telling the Irish Independent that even Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley felt it was a bad call.

"It's an honest challenge. Both players are putting their leg up to play the ball... There was no serious foul play there. It's just very frustrating," said O'Donnell.

However, the FAI announced this afternoon (Monday) that Dundalk's appeal against the decision was unsuccessful.

"An independent appeal committee of the FAI has rejected Dundalk FC's appeal for wrongful dismissal following Robbie Benson's red card for serious foul play in Dundalk FC's SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture versus Shamrock Rovers FC on 31 March 2023," read an FAI statement.

"In accordance with the FAI Disciplinary Regulations, Robbie Benson will serve a two-match suspension."

An appeals mechanism for red card decisions was introduced ahead of the current League of Ireland season, but so far none of the appeals lodged by clubs have succeeded in getting a decision overturned.

Shamrock Rovers ran out 4-0 winners against Dundalk on Friday. Highlights of the game can be viewed here, with the red card for Benson shown shortly after the 2.10 mark: