Tottenham head coach Rehanne Skinner says she is “shocked and disappointed” with the FA’s decision to hand Eveliina Summanen a two-match ban.
Manchester United’s Ella Toone was sent off following an altercation with Summanen earlier this month, but the red card was rescinded and the Spurs midfielder will now serve a suspension instead for deceiving the referee. Asked whether the Finnish international was being made an example of, Skinner replied:
“I think that’s probably fair to say. Myself and the club don’t agree with the charge that’s been made against Eveliina. It’s fair to say we were shocked, disappointed and I was unimpressed with the way this whole process has happened.”
Summanen was pushed in the chest by Toone, but the 24-year-old then proceeded to roll around on the floor holding her head, suggesting that’s where she had been hit.
The FA have, therefore, decided that was enough to constitute deceiving an official, which is controversial, to say the least. Toone did lash out at Summanen and while, it wasn’t enough for a red card, it’s still rather surprising to see the player on the receiving end of the challenge to be punished.