Ervin questions Carson disciplinary process

Ballymena United head Jim Ervin has questioned nan handling of Josh Carson's three-game suspension which will spot him miss Tuesday's sojourn from Crusaders.

The four-times capped erstwhile Northern Ireland world was initially shown a yellowish paper for his situation connected Linfield's Ethan McGee connected nan opening time of nan play but admitted afterwards he "got away" pinch only a booking.

While Ervin was not debating whether nan tackle was worthy of a dismissal, he questioned why connection of nan retroactive prohibition came six days later pinch nan news breaking only hours earlier Carson and his Ballymena team-mates would return connected Coleraine connected Friday night.

Ervin said nan midfielder was initially unsure if he would person to beryllium pulled from nan squad for nan derby crippled which nan Sky Blues yet mislaid 4-2.

"When it breaks successful nan press, and nan subordinate himself is ringing to inquire is he disposable for selection, it's not awesome practice," said Ervin.

"The timing could person been right. There was a batch of disorder astir nan time. Yes, nan suspension doesn't footwear successful to Monday but astatine nan clip erstwhile the news broke, we weren't alert of that, we hadn't seen nan full details. We weren't sure."

The erstwhile Linfield man, successful his 2nd play astatine nan Ballymena Showgrounds, is concerned nan quality of nan reward will lead to plentifulness of post-game scrutiny of decisions this season.

"They've now group a standard," he added.

"I dream they stay to that modular throughout the remainder of nan season. It's going to beryllium a long, agelong season.

"I conscionable consciousness for illustration now each tackle is going to beryllium scrutinised. If there's precocious tackles, immoderate still pictures that are going to spell connected societal media, if that's what nan referees are going to beryllium held to, there's going to beryllium a batch of decisions challenged this year."

Ervin added Coleraine winger Andy Scott and Larne defender Sean Brown to his squad connected Monday, pinch nan second group for his 2nd indebtedness stint astatine nan Showgrounds aft being astatine nan nine for nan 2nd half of past season.