Liverpool decide not to appeal Cole’s red card

LONDON (AFP) – Liverpool star Joe Cole will serve a three-match suspension after his club decided not to appeal against the England midfielder’s red card against Arsenal.

Cole was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson on his debut following a lunging challenge on Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny in first-half injury-time of the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson hinted after the match that the Reds might launch an appeal because he felt the tackle was not malicious.

But the 1200GMT deadline for appeals passed on Monday without Liverpool lodging a protest, meaning Cole will be sidelined for three matches.

Cole, who left Chelsea on a free-transfer in the close-season, will miss league games against Manchester City, West Brom and Birmingham.

However, the former West Ham player will be available for Thursday’s Europa League play-off round first leg with Trabzonspor and the second leg the following week.