Fitton has defended his midfielder Jonathan Douglas

Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton has hit out at the Football Association after it extended midfielder Jonathan Douglas' ban following a failed appeal.

Douglas was sent off for a tackle in the game against Millwall and given a three-match suspension, which was made one match longer after the appeal.

"The FA have acted appallingly," Fitton told BBC Wiltshire. "We don't expect to be treated like morons."

The FA has declined to issue a comment over the matter.

Douglas, 27, was dismissed for a high challenge on Millwall's Jimmy Abdou but Swindon disagreed with the referee's decision and sent video evidence to the FA to support their case.

As a result of the failed appeal, an incensed Fitton has demanded clarification on the criteria used by the FA to determine the outcomes when referees' decisions are called into question.

They don't want people questioning referees but if referees aren't good enough, we need to be able to question them Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton

"They don't want people appealing against decisions using television evidence, but it has to be used. I think they have a huge problem," he said.

Republic of Ireland international Douglas has already missed the home game with Hartlepool and will now sit out the trips to Norwich and Tranmere and Swindon's FA Cup first round tie.

Fitton continued: "What do I get from the FA? Zero. How much have I put into football in the last two years? Seven-and-a-half million pounds.

"It's the sort of thing that makes investors get angry. I think they've got right up our nose over this.

"The FA don't want people questioning referees but if referees aren't good enough, we need to be able to question them."

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