Cohen - Reaction led to red

Cohen: Bemused by decision

Chris Cohen believes the reaction of the Leeds players and bench led to his dismissal on Saturday.

The Nottingham Forest midfielder was given his marching orders 36 minutes into a crucial top-of-the-table clash at Elland Road, which the hosts went on to win 4-1.

Premier League referee Mark Halsey, following consultation with his assistant, deemed that a challenge by Cohen on George McCartney was reckless and deserving of a red card.

Forest boss Billy Davies questioned the decision after the game and revealed that the club plan to appeal the decision.

Cohen is hoping the authorities will overturn his impending suspension, with it his opinion that the officials were swayed by an over-the-top appeal from the home side, led by boss Simon Grayson.

Fair tackle

He said: "I didn't think it was a red card at the time and I've watched it back since and feel exactly the same way.

"The ref has got a huge decision wrong. It was difficult for the officials, I know that as it happened so quickly, but anyone could see it was a block tackle I made.

"Sure, my feet left the ground, but so did their lad's. So should he have been sent off too? It was a fair tackle.

"The Leeds manager must have seen the pair of us going for the ball and was 15 yards on the pitch by the time I tackled their player.

"Everything that was going on around the incident made it easier for the ref to make the decision."