Following the accusations of biting in the recent Chesterfield game, the independent FA Regulatory Commission have found against Joss Labadie and issued him with a ten game suspension.
Now I don’t believe Chesterfield have ever logged an official complaint about this, but the punishment matches the suspension given to Liverpool’s Luis Suarez when he was found guilty of the same charge, so on that score nobody can really argue but it’s a definite blow to us, especially following his performance in the game against Rochdale specifically as he scored the winning goal for us, and that alone would’ve given him a good boost but he’s now out presumably following our next match.
Following the Panel’s investigation Labadie has also been fined £2000.
A statement from Torquay said simply.
‘(We) can confirm we have received notification of the verdict from the FA on Joss Labadie’s misconduct charge. The club will now consider our options before deciding whether to appeal.’
The midfielder had denied the allegation when the charges were levied and requested a non personal hearing, but they found that his alleged actions constituted violent conduct.
The suspension is however stayed until the full written reasons from the Commission have been received by all parties involved in this, and either Labadie confirms he does not wish to appeal, the appeal deadline runs out, or the outcome of any such appeal is known.
If there is no appeal then I believe Labadie will be back in contention for our season ender against Wycombe Wanderers on May 3rd.
The written reasons will be in shortly it’s believed and then Labadie and the club have until Monday evening to make a decision on appeal, so he will be eligible for Cheltenham at least.
Local press however are confident that the charge will be appealed.
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