FINAL PAIR APPEAL
Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and Chelsea's Mikel Jon Obi have
both lodged appeals for wrongful dismissal in the hope to have
their red cards in the Carling Cup final rescinded.
However, Gunners skipper Kolo Toure - who was also sent off for his
part in the mass brawl at the end of the match at the Millennium
Stadium - has not and so must serve a three-match ban.
Under the Football Association's fast-track disciplinary process,
the appeals will be held tomorrow, meaning a decision will come
ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round replay at Blackburn.
Ivory Coast defender Toure, however, will definitely miss that
game, along with the Barclays Premiership visit of Reading on
Saturday and then Aston Villa.
He will, though, be available for the Champions League second leg
against PSV Eindhoven next Wednesday, which is a UEFA
competition.
The melee at the Millennium Stadium was sparked following a
confrontation between Mikel and Toure, with players and coaches
from both sides becoming involved.
Adebayor protested his innocence, and while he may have a case for
mistake identity given the actions of full-back Emmanuel Eboue in
his clash with Chelsea's Wayne Bridge, the Togo striker could yet
face further sanctions for the way in which he both confronted
referee Howard Webb and his refusal to immediately leave the
pitch.
