West Brom's Slaven Bilic calls for red card review

Despite making contact with a part of the ball, Ferguson was sent off by referee Matt Donohue for a late challenge on Charlton’s Chris Solly last weekend.

Because of the nature of the tackle, it was automatically deemed violent conduct, meaning a three-game ban.

That means Ferguson will now miss Albion’s games against Stoke, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday.

But while Bilic opted against appealing the red card, he doesn’t feel it’s right Ferguson should miss the next three games.

“He (Ferguson) went for the ball,” the head coach said.

“He miss-timed it a bit and the guy made a meal out of it.

“He got a bit of the ball, but not enough of the ball and the ref fancied it.

“He gave the red card. It’s a shame he’s missing three games now. I don’t know how that works.

“People are thinking is it a red card? Is it harsh?

“Now in this age of football how can it be straight without discussion.

“Three games is a lot for that, but what can we do? For me, it can’t be automatic, for those kinds of challenges.”

Asked if he thinks a panel should decide the punishment for a player who has been dismissed, Bilic said: “Exactly – they have time to do it.

“There are maybe five red cards in one round (of games) two or three in each league.

“I don’t know why it has to be an automatic three game ban. It is wrong.

“In this case, it’s definitely wrong.

“We saw on Monday night in the QPR v Brentford game there was a very similar tackle and it wasn’t even a caution.

“For Nathan to be suspended for three games it’s like ‘why?’

“This wasn’t violent conduct, that’s what I’m talking about.

“From my point of view, they should look at every single one individually.

“But then that would open grey zones and ‘why this one and not that one?’ It’s all about opinions. You have to accept it.”

Bilic says Ferguson has responded well to the red card.

“He’s become a man now,” the head coach joked. “He’s good. It was nothing malicious. Nath is good.”