Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell's appeal against his red card in
last weekend's Merseyside derby has been upheld and he will not
serve a ban.
Rodwell: Appeal upheld
The 20-year-old was sent off by referee Martin Atkinson
in the 23rd minute for a challenge on Luis Suarez which appeared
neither dangerous nor reckless.
Everton lodged a claim for wrongful dismissal with the Football
Association and the governing body's appeals panel have upheld that
claim.
It means Rodwell's three-match suspension, which would have been
imposed for an offence of serious foul play, has been
withdrawn.
A statement from the Football Association said: "Everton's Jack
Rodwell has had his claim for wrongful dismissal upheld.
"As a result, the three-match suspension handed to him has been
withdrawn.
"Rodwell had originally received a red card for serious foul
play in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool at Goodison Park on
Saturday October 1."
Immediately after the match, which Everton lost 2-0, Toffees
boss David Moyes expressed his amazement at Atkinson's
decision.
"I thought it ruined the game. That wasn't down to a bad
tackle," said the Scot.
"I would have been disappointed if it had been a free-kick. I
don't think anyone in this world thought it was [a sending
off]."
Everton's chief executive Robert Elstone welcomed the
overturning of Rodwell's red card but said it meant little in the
wake of a defeat.
"Whilst we welcome the correct decision the FA panel has
reached, it's of course an outcome which will provide little
consolation whatsoever to the 37,000 Evertonians packed into
Goodison on Saturday to watch the 2-0 defeat," he told
evertonfc.com.
"The Merseyside derby is a special occasion and many of our fans
will have made financial sacrifices to make sure they were there to
support the team.
"From the press, radio and television reports that surfaced in
the aftermath of Saturday's events, they were almost unanimous in
their verdict and we are pleased with the news that quite rightly
the red card has been rescinded."
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright added: "One of the biggest
tragedies was for Jack himself.
"He has had a terrific season and was by far and away the most
influential midfielder on the pitch up to that point.
"To deny him the opportunity to continue on such an important
occasion must have been incredibly difficult for Jack - as it was
for his team-mates, manager and, of course, the fans."
sadly, they can't put back the 3pts... hopefully, this ref won't
be in Anfield next weekend..