Newcastle lodge red card appeal
Newcastle have lodged an appeal against defender Andy O’Brien’s red card in Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Chelsea.
The 24-year-old was dismissed by referee Paul Durkin, who adjudged that he had hauled striker Adrian Mutu to the ground and gave a penalty.
Both the player and his manager, Sir Bobby Robson, were furious about the decision, and their complaints were backed up by television replays which showed minimal contact outside the penalty area before the Romanian stumbled into the box.
Robson hinted after the game the club would appeal, and a spokesman for Newcastle said today: “I can confirm that, having looked at the video, we have submitted an appeal.”
The Football Association confirmed that Newcastle’s submission has been received and will be considered by its video advisory panel.
“Newcastle have lodged an appeal regarding the dismissal of Andy O’Brien,” said a spokesman. “The evidence will be looked at by the video advisory panel, who will decide if there is a case to answered.”
If the appeal was unsuccessful, O’Brien would be able to play against Manchester City on November 22, but miss the trip to Wolves a week later, a game which comes just two days after the second leg of the club’s UEFA Cup second round tie against FC Basle.
