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Hughton backs Hemed appeal
Brighton manager Chris Hughton says he fully backs Tomer Hemed's decision to contest a three-match FA ban for a deliberate stamp on Newcastle defender Andre DeYedlin.
A Football Association panel of former referees reviewed the incident, which happened during the Seagulls' 1-0 win against Newcastle at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, and imposed a three-match ban on the Israel international striker.
But Hughton, who was Brian Kerr's assistant as Ireland manager between 2003 and 2005, says the 30-year-old did not mean to catch his opponent and fully endores his decision to appeal the suspension.
"That's the reason why we appealed it," the 58-year-old told Talksport.
"Possibly I would say this - I'm his manager - but knowing the lad as we do here, we still had no doubt it wasn't intentional.
"But it goes to a panel. Arguably because there had been a small incident before that [between Hemed and DeYedlin], possibly they took that into account, but our thinking is exactly the same."
Brighton face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a match which will be shown live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport platform [kick off 12 noon], and Hughton is convinced his side can upset the odds against Arsene Wenger's side, who face their third game in six days.
"There won't be a game we go into that we don't think we can get something from," he continued.
"Arsenal is arguably our biggest test because it is away from home. They don't come any harder but you have to think you can get something.
"But Arsenal, on their day, are a Champion League team. We will certainly need to be on our game on Sunday."
Hughton also confirmed that Hemed's Israeli international team-mate Beram Kayal is close to a return, following the broken leg he suffered in the pre-season friendly against Atletico Madrid on 6 August.
"Kayal is on his way back and we are hoping he will play an under-23 game in the next couple of weeks," he said.
Brighton's Premier League game against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday, 1 October will be shown live on BT Sport 1 [kick off 12 noon].
Image: Getty Images/ Dan Istitene
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