Wayne Rooney is set to miss the group stage of Euro 2012 after the England striker was handed a three-match ban for his red card against Montenegro.
England striker set to miss the group phase of Euro 2012
Wayne Rooney is set to miss the group stage of Euro 2012 after the England striker was handed a three-match ban for his sending off against Montenegro.
The Manchester United forward was dismissed by referee Wolfgang Stark during last week's 2-2 draw in Podgorica after kicking out at Miodrag Dzudovic.
The Football Association had been hoping that Uefa would show leniency towards Rooney despite the regulations confirming a three-match suspension would be the appropriate punishment.
Uefa has now confirmed that Rooney will miss England's next three competitive fixtures, although there is the right to appeal.
A Uefa statement read: "The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body has today handed down a three-match suspension to England forward Wayne Rooney following his dismissal during the Uefa Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro last Friday.
"Today's decision was taken in relation to the red card shown to Rooney for assault after 74 minutes of England's final Group G game, the 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Podgorica.
"The striker will now be suspended from playing in his country's next three Uefa national competition matches for which he would be eligible.
"An appeal may be lodged against the verdict of the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision."
Waiting
The FA released a statement in response to the suspension which read: "Further to Uefa's decision to impose a three-match suspension on Wayne Rooney following his sending off against Montenegro, the FA await the full reasons from the disciplinary committee, and will give full consideration to the decision internally, before deciding on any response to Uefa or making any further public comment."
England coach Fabio Capello admitted after the game that it was a 'silly mistake' by Rooney and that the player had apologised for his red card.
Prior to the announcement from Uefa that Rooney would be banned for three games, Capello confirmed he would be exploring other options in the build-up to next summer's European Championship.
Rooney is not expected to start any of England's upcoming friendlies, but Capello must now decide whether to gamble on taking the 25-year-old to Poland and the Ukraine.
If England lodge an unsuccessful appeal, Rooney's unavailability for the group phase would leave Capello with a major quandary regarding his squad selection for the tournament.
