UEFA confirm Rooney appeal date
Published 22:30 15/11/11 By John Cross
Wayne Rooney's appeal against his three-match ban for Euro 2012 will be heard on December 9.
The Manchester United striker could make a personal appearance at the UEFA hearing and risks having the ban increased after his sending off in Montenegro last month.
European football’s governing body confirmed on Tuesday that the ban could now be increased to four games - meaning England would have to reach the semis next summer for Rooney to play any part - so the appeal is a major gamble on the FA’s part.
But England boss Fabio Capello is hoping Rooney’s ban could be reduced to two games.
The FA are planning to use Andrey Arshavin as an example, as the Russian only got a two-game suspension at Euro 2008 following a similar offence in qualifying.
Uefa said in a statement: “The Uefa Appeals Body will deal with the case of England striker Wayne Rooney on Friday, 9 December at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon.
“This follows Uefa’s receipt on Friday, 4 November of the official written appeal from the English Football Association against the three-match suspension given to Rooney by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body on 13 October.”
Rooney has scored 28 goals in 73 appearances for England, and Capello has already warned his team’s chances at the finals could hinge on his availability.
