NEIL Harris has accepted Tim Cahill’s three-match ban for violent conduct – but questioned the consistency of the FA’s judging panels after two similar incidents went unpunished last weekend.
Cahill was charged for elbowing Ryan Fredericks in the 3-0 defeat to Fulham on Friday night, with no action taken by officials at the time.
Seconds later Cottagers striker Aleksandar Mitrovic appeared to deliberately catch Cahill with a flailing arm before also flicking out with his leg.
A three-man FA panel looked at that latter incident and couldn’t come to a unanimous decision to charge the Serbian striker.
On Sunday, West Bromwich Albion centre-back Ahmed Hegazi appeared to punch Liverpool’s Danny Ings in the stomach during the clubs’ 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.
That was also examined but the FA chose not to take any action.
Harris insisted Millwall would move on from the incident, and Cahill will travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday for the Lions’ crucial clash with Middlesbrough.
“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,” Harris told NewsAtDen.
“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.
“There were three incidents live on Sky at the weekend in games and only one ban outcome. There was one just after Tim’s and there was another in the West Brom-Liverpool game.
“Even though the Tim decision is the right one and we accept it, it’s about consistency of decisions and that’s something I brought up earlier this season.
“They were three similar incidents but the outcome after only one leads to a ban.
“But we move on from it and we focus fully on Middlesbrough this weekend.”
Image: Millwall FC
I’ve accepted a 3 game ban by The FA and I’ll always accept accountability for my actions on and off the football pitch while representing @MillwallFC My aim now is to contribute in training and to help keep my team-mates focused on trying to secure a Play-Off place. pic.twitter.com/fss17gmMs7
— Tim Cahill AO (@Tim_Cahill) April 24, 2018