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FA cuts Peters' ban
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
Mark Peters
Mark Peters, the Gresley Rovers midfielder sent-off after suffering racial abuse, has seen his punishment cut - after the intervention of the referee.
Peters was dismissed during the Moatmen's 1-0 Dr Martens Western Division victory of Rugby United at Butlin Road.The 25-year-old student had picked up a caution earlier in the game but was condemned to an early bath after a foul and abusive verbal assault on opponent Rob Beard.
But it later emerged Beard had provoked Peters with a torrent of racial abuse and Rugby promised to punish the player after disgusted home fans besieged the United dug out at full time.
Peters had been facing a three-game suspension but after referee Rob Couzens, a high-ranking Hertfordshire FA administrator, had sent a letter to Soho Square explaining the circumstances of Peters' red card, the punishment was reduced to a two-game ban.
The suspension had been scheduled to begin on Saturday but with the home clash with Redditch United called off Peters will now miss the New Year's Day trip to Atherstone United and Saturday's journey to Solihull Borough.
Justin O'Reilly, out of action after suffering more pain from a twisted ankle, today begins a 14-day suspension picked up while with previous club Newcastle Town.
