It was an incident that proved essentially inconsequential in terms of the result but proved one of the biggest talking points from Bristol City's 0-0 draw with Swansea City on Saturday.
Jake Bidwell was shown a straight red card by referee Tony Harrington after deliberately hacking down Robins winger Niclas Eliasson after he had skipped past him down the right flank.
After the game Cooper claimed the reaction of the City bench had forced Harrington's hand, as the incident occured just on halfway and right in front of the technical areas, and that he club would consider an appeal.
Eliasson wasn't fouled clean through on goal and an argument - a somewhat questionable one - could be made that Bidwell made an honest attempt to win the ball.
Harrington told Cooper after the game that he made the decision on the advice of his assistant who was closer to the action.
Swansea did lodge an appeal with the Football Association but that appeal was unsuccessful and Bidwell will now miss their next three matches - Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie against Watford plus Championship matches against Reading and Charlton.
A Swansea statement read: "Head coach Steve Cooper had made clear his unhappiness with the decision, and indicated the club would explore whether they could get the decision overturned.
"The club submitted an appeal to the Football Association, but that has been rejected and Bidwell will now serve a three-match ban after the FA's regulatory commission deemed the sending off was not a case of wrongful dismissal."
Swansea fans were also incensed that City defender Taylor Moore was only for a similar challenge on Bersant Celina in the first half.
Celina posted a message about the incident on Instagram on Sunday, before removing his comments, claiming that referee Harrington didn't offer enough protection for the players.
