Wilson loses faith in FA appeals

Wilson was reluctant to appeal against Collins' red card against MK Dons

Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson did not contest Sam Collins' controversial red card against MK Dons because he has lost his faith in the appeal process.

Collins, 31, was also sent off last season and an appeal to the Football Association saw the defender handed a further one-match suspension.

"We lose our money for an appeal and we got an extra game because it's deemed as frivolous," Wilson told BBC Tees.

"Eventually it will be that we don't have an appeal process."

Collins served his one match suspension in Tuesday's FA Cup replay win against Brighton and returns to the squad for Saturday's visit to Leeds.

As a player Wilson appeared under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, a manager who preached good relations between players and referees, and whose teams were respected for their manner on the field.

And Wilson admitted that he still feels strongly about maintaining respect for referees, particularly in the light of the FA's own Respect campaign.

"What's important is that we have restraint. We can't go round criticising all the time, on TV with players getting in the face of referees - that was wrong," he said.

"At the same time, there has to be a leeway to come on to our side and for referees to explain at times what they saw, did they get it wrong and apologise if they get it wrong. It makes the process easier.

But the Wigan-born boss is also frustrated by the lack of transparency from referees, who are not obliged to face the media after their involvement in football matches.

606: DEBATE Should referees be made to face the media?

"They're not expected to explain themselves on TV after every game, and have a microphone stuck up their nose 10 minutes after a game, like managers and players are," Wilson added.

"That's when you get managers or players saying things that are not right, but the media rule that as well.

"You end up in London facing disrepute charges, but the referees don't have to do that."