mars 29, 2025
Justice for Justin! Robins winger cleared after Alty appeal red card
Words John Edwards Picture Jonathan Moore
Altrincham's play-off hopes have been further enhanced after key winger Justin Amaluzor's straight red card against Solihull Moors was overturned on appeal.
Justin was facing a three-match ban after referee James Westgate caused uproar in the Alty ranks by interpreting a 59th-minute tussle for possession with defender James Clarke as serious foul play in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at The J.Davidson Stadium.
Manager Phil Parkinson signalled an intention to contest it moments after the final whistle, though that had to be weighed against the risk of the FA increasing the suspension, should the appeal be deemed 'frivolous'.
An overriding sense of grievance held sway, and club secretary Mark Lockyear and director of football Marc Tierney immediately set about meticulously compiling a case they hoped would prove compelling when it was placed before an FA disciplinary panel.
To the relief and delight of everyone at The J.Davidson Stadium, it had the desired effect and justice prevailed as the panel ruled in Justin's favour by quashing the red card and clearing him to continue being available for the Robins' play-off push, starting at Ebbsfleet United tomorrow.
It was a triumph for the club's principled stand and for having the courage of their convictions after fervently believing Justin had been wrongly sent from the field.
The verdict followed news of two loan signings, in Callum Dolan and Brandon Powell, and injured players nearing a return to fitness, and it comes as a further welcome boost with games coming thick and fast over the next five weeks, at least.
"I'm extremely happy with the team behind all this at Alty," said Marc Tierney. "Sam Mackenzie, our chief executive, and Mark Lockyear, who worked tirelessly to back Phil, our manager, and Justin, our player, in rescinding a red card we all felt was unjust.
"It took away a likely two more points for us, but we will move on from that as the professionals we are.
"The main thing was to collate all the evidence for an appeal, because we thought the referee acted very swiftly and we were hard done to on a red card again, just as we were at Southend.
"Thankfully, we made the right decision and the appeal process worked. It was all carried out thoroughly, and that was due to lots of strenuous work by Mark, who was absolutely brilliant in terms of working with myself and backing our manager and our players when we feel they are unjustly done to.
"We took some great advice on this externally from some very good people who are referees, and that really helped steer us in the right direction. We're all so glad that Justin has been cleared to carry on playing."
Justin was facing a three-match ban after referee James Westgate caused uproar in the Alty ranks by interpreting a 59th-minute tussle for possession with defender James Clarke as serious foul play in Tuesday night's 1-1 draw at The J.Davidson Stadium.
Manager Phil Parkinson signalled an intention to contest it moments after the final whistle, though that had to be weighed against the risk of the FA increasing the suspension, should the appeal be deemed 'frivolous'.
An overriding sense of grievance held sway, and club secretary Mark Lockyear and director of football Marc Tierney immediately set about meticulously compiling a case they hoped would prove compelling when it was placed before an FA disciplinary panel.
To the relief and delight of everyone at The J.Davidson Stadium, it had the desired effect and justice prevailed as the panel ruled in Justin's favour by quashing the red card and clearing him to continue being available for the Robins' play-off push, starting at Ebbsfleet United tomorrow.
It was a triumph for the club's principled stand and for having the courage of their convictions after fervently believing Justin had been wrongly sent from the field.
The verdict followed news of two loan signings, in Callum Dolan and Brandon Powell, and injured players nearing a return to fitness, and it comes as a further welcome boost with games coming thick and fast over the next five weeks, at least.
"I'm extremely happy with the team behind all this at Alty," said Marc Tierney. "Sam Mackenzie, our chief executive, and Mark Lockyear, who worked tirelessly to back Phil, our manager, and Justin, our player, in rescinding a red card we all felt was unjust.
"It took away a likely two more points for us, but we will move on from that as the professionals we are.
"The main thing was to collate all the evidence for an appeal, because we thought the referee acted very swiftly and we were hard done to on a red card again, just as we were at Southend.
"Thankfully, we made the right decision and the appeal process worked. It was all carried out thoroughly, and that was due to lots of strenuous work by Mark, who was absolutely brilliant in terms of working with myself and backing our manager and our players when we feel they are unjustly done to.
"We took some great advice on this externally from some very good people who are referees, and that really helped steer us in the right direction. We're all so glad that Justin has been cleared to carry on playing."
