FA to appeal Rooney ban

The Football Association will appeal the three-match suspension handed to England striker Wayne Rooney during a Euro 2012 clash with Montenegro last month.

Rooney, 26, was red-carded during the Three Lions’ 2-2 draw in Podgorica after lashing out and kicking Miodrag Dzudovic.

After considering the incident, UEFA handed him a three-match ban, meaning that he will miss out on all of the national side’s group games at Euro 2012.

The Manchester United man sent a letter to UEFA pleading for leniency, and the FA on Friday chose to support his plea by lodging an appeal against the ban.

“We will be appealing against the three-match suspension Wayne Rooney received following the recent Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro,” an FA spokesman said.

“We received written reasons for the red card on Tuesday afternoon and we were given until midnight (on Friday) to respond.”

Rooney admitted he only had himself to blame for the incident.

“It was stupid by me. I regretted it as soon as I did it. It’s no excuse, but I still feel the punishment is a bit harsh. I’m disappointed with it,” he said.

“Even if it’s reduced by one game, it will be a bonus for me.”