LONDON, (Reuters) - Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson described the FA as "amateurs and silly little men" yesterday in the wake of the governing body's decision to increase Jeremie Aliadiere's ban in response to a 'frivolous' appeal.

The French forward was suspended for three matches following his dismissal for slapping Liverpool's Javier Mascherano in the weekend's 3-2 defeat but after rejecting the appeal as frivolous, the FA increased the ban to four games on Tuesday.

The club's chief executive Keith Lamb said he was "furious and astounded" at the FA's actions and Gibson weighed in further when he told the Daily Mirror: "We have amateurs in charge of the professional game.

"We need professional people making decisions, not these silly little men.

"It is ridiculous to call our appeal frivolous and I'm absolutely furious."

The former Arsenal player missed yesterday's FA Cup fifth round replay against Championship (second division) Sheffield United.