Gingell furious with lengthy suspension (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Gingell furious with lengthy suspension

9:40am Thursday 3rd January 2008 in Football By Nick Mashiter

Corsham Town boss Mel Gingell says he has been harshly treated after being slapped with a staggering 22 game ban.

The suspension, for three separate incidents, was handed out by the Somerset Football Association after the Wiltshire FA gave the case to them to prevent claims of victimisation.

Gingell, who has also been fined £180, has a fractious relationship with the county after they sacked him from his job as manager of the Wiltshire U18 side in March.

The Southbank boss, who will miss the rest of the season after the ban came into effect on Monday, said: "It is discrimination from the hierarchy.

"Players get a three match ban for headbutting and I get this. What is worse, headbutting or saying something to the referee?

"What makes it worse for me is I support Wiltshire football and encourage my players to play for the county."

Secretary of the Wiltshire FA, Mike Benson, dismissed his allegations and said the case was given to Somerset for a fair decision.

"We do not victimise anyone and I did not want people to get the impression we would be biased," he said.

"In many cases, counties are lenient against what the regulations say and we have done exactly the same thing for other counties."

Gingell received a seven match ban for his sending off against Devizes Town in September.

He picked up a six match suspension for comments made after another game with Devizes, this time for criticising injured home goalkeeper Owen Dunn.

Finally, he was hit with a nine game ban for abusing the referee after three of his players were sent off in an FA Vase game at Cowes Sports in October.

The 61-year-old is not allowed in the dressing room 15 minutes prior to kick off, during half time or 15 minutes after the game.

Corsham chairman John Gingell added: "We're in disbelief, it's absolutely disgusting but the team are backing him 100 per cent."

Corsham's committee met with their manager last night to consider an appeal.