Soccer

Kompany appeal falls on deaf ears

Soccer: Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany will serve a four-match ban after having his appeal against the red card he …

Tue Jan 10 2012 - 00:00

Soccer:Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany will serve a four-match ban after having his appeal against the red card he was shown in the FA Cup tie with Manchester United rejected. Roberto Mancini had expressed his confidence the suspension would be overturned on the basis that Kompany did not foul Nani at the Etihad Stadium.

But an Independent Regulatory Commission has today reached a different conclusion, ruling Kompany out of tomorrow’s League Cup semi-final with Liverpool. In addition to tomorrow night’s first leg, Kompany will also miss the return at Anfield in a fortnight, plus the Premier League encounters with Wigan and Tottenham in between.

Although opinion was divided about Chris Foy’s decision to send Kompany off just 12 minutes into what was eventually a thrilling 3-2 defeat, once the decision was made, it always seemed unlikely to be overturned.

Mancini now faces the consequences, which is likely to mean the biggest match to date of Stefan Savic’s short City career unless the Blues manager opts to select Micah Richards in central defence alongside Joleon Lescott as Kolo Toure is currently away on African Nations Cup duty.

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“My opinion has not changed,” said Mancini at his pre-match press briefing earlier today. “I am confident because Vinny only played 10 minutes. He was sent off for nothing. He has already missed one game. I don’t think about this (being banned). It would be not correct if that happened.”

Mancini also claimed he was right to point out that Wayne Rooney gestured to referee Chris Foy for Kompany to be sent off, even though the United star claims to only have been pointing out it was a two-footed tackle.

“I joked with Wayne Rooney. But he did it,” said Mancini. “Nani was there. He didn’t say anything.”

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is likely to revert to his strongest line-up to face City with Steven Gerrard in line to start having played 90 minutes in the FA Cup win over Oldham on Friday. Craig Bellamy could also be in contention for a place in the XI against his former side.

Dalglish also has to decide whether to recall Andy Carroll, who scored as a late substitute against the League One club.