Jewell hoping for fair FA hearing

By Alan G
March 20 2007

Paul Jewell faces the Football Association disciplinary panel this Thursday to answer a charge of improper conduct for his confrontation with referee Phil Dowd after the Premiership game at Arsenal on February 11, hoping he gets a fair hearing.

Jewell admitted the offence by letter last month but requested a personal hearing in front of the three-man panel.

"Hopefully they will be give me a fair hearing. I will say my piece and probably feel better for it, although I might be a bit worse off too” Said Jewell.

"I can't deny what I said - what I can say is there were mitigating circumstances.

"I acted in a certain way because of what had gone on during previous games with that ref. I hope the panel will take that into account and treat me lightly. It's easy to say to me, 'control your emotions', but if I could control my emotions that easily, I wouldn't be the kind of manager I am.

"I don't apologise for being as I am. As long as my players respect me, all I'm interested in is doing a decent job."