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Rooney faces 3-match suspension

Comment: 0 October 11th, 2011 by: admin

WAYNE Rooney could be suspended for three matches just because of one irresponsible kick.

The England striker will find out on Thursday how many European Championship matches he will be banned for after his offence against an opponent in a Euro 2012 qualifying tiff last Friday.

Rooney kicked Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic with 17 minutes left in their Group G game against Montenegro which eventually ended in a 2-2 tie and enabled the Three Lions to secure a place in the finals slated in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

The UEFA, the world governing body in football, has instructed its disciplinary committee to look after Rooney’s case. A mandatory one-match ban has been imposed and this could increase to three depending on the outcome of the investigation.

A report from German referee Wolfgang Stark, who flashed Rooney and straight red card, is already in the hands of the UEFA. Stark had earlier commended Rooney for coolly accepting his decision.

If his one-match suspension is extended, Rooney and England can appeal.

Rooney has already written the UEFA, appealing that his ban be limited. The letter will form part of a dossier to be sent to the UEFA headquarters in Switzerland ahead of the disciplinary hearing.

England coach Fabio Capello has also announced that Rooney will be dropped from the starters’ list in their next friendlies to test on a new team and strategy.

The Three Lions are facing Spain in a much-awaited friendly on Nov. 12 at Wembley.

Rooney could also be meted a two-match suspension if  the UEFA bases their decision on a similar incident involving Russia’s Andrei Arshavin four years back.

Arshavin committed a violent conduct in the 84^th minute of a crucial qualifier against Andorra. The Russian prevailed 1-0 to advance to the Euro 2008. Arshavin was slapped with a two-match suspension which was carried over to the final tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

The Russians reached the event’s semifinals with Arshavin, an attacking midfielder from Arsenal, playing a key role. But they failed to get beyond that phase after losing to eventual winners Spain 0-3.

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