Wolverhampton Wanderers have lodged an appeal with the Football Association over the dismissal of Gary Breen during Saturday's defeat at Cardiff City.
The experienced centre-half was adjudged to have deliberately caught Steven Thompson in the face with his arm and was dismissed by referee Pat Miller after just 23 minutes. Breen vehemently protested his innocence as did Thompson and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy and the club have decided to lodge an appeal to try to get the decision overturned.
"Gary Breen was adamant from the time of his dismissal that no intent was involved," said Wolves' club secretary Richard Skirrow.
"He was demonstrating to the assistant referee that he himself had been caught in a challenge with Steve Thompson and unfortunately, as he spread his arms out to describe the event to the official, Steve Thompson approached from behind and was caught in the face by Gary's arm. "On viewing the video evidence, the club felt an appeal was justified."
* Coventry City's inaugural international fixture at the Ricoh Arena is capturing the imagination of the Warwickshire public.
More than 20,000 tickets have now been sold for Friday's Uefa Under 21 European Play-Off between England and Germany, which will decide who progresses to the European Championship finals in Holland next year.
Birmingham City's Cameron Jerome and Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor are flying the flag for the West Midlands and Peter Taylor, England's Under-21 manager, is relishing the prospect of unleashing his side at the Ricoh Arena, convinced the attraction of facing Germany will only add to the atmosphere.
"These are going to be massive games," he said. "Coventry is a great stadium and a really good pitch so we are looking forward to playing there.
"Any England-Germany game is a terrific occasion and this should be no exception."
