Soccer: There was mixed news for Republic of Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews today as he learned that he will miss the opening World Cup qualifier away to Kazakhstan after earlier agreeing terms on a three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers.
Uefa’s Control and Disciplinary Committee handed Andrews a two match suspension for his sending off against Italy at Euro 2012, with the second match suspended for a probationary period, which begins with the start of qualifying for Euro 2016 and ends with the play-offs for that competition.
The finding comes after the Committee considered the referee’s report and a submission from the FAI in relation to the sending off for a second yellow card at the end of 2-0 defeat in Poznan.
Andrews had been booked in the first half before referee Cuneyt Cakir sent him off for a challenge on Andrea Pirlo. Andrews pointed at the Turkish official and exchanged words with him before kicking a water bottle on the sideline.
His suspension will give Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni a chance to have a look at a different central midfield set-up against Kazakhstan, with Wigan’s James McCarthy one option after he had to miss Euro 2012 due to personal reasons.
Andrews, 31, moves to the Reebok Stadium following a short-term deal with West Brom last season, in which he made 14 appearances and scored twice.
Welcoming the signing, Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: “We are pleased to have been able to bring in Keith early in the transfer window as there were a number of clubs interested in signing him.
“He is highly experienced both in domestic and international football and he will bring strength, competition and a goalscoring threat to our midfield.”
