The English Football Association is appealing a three-game suspension of Wayne Rooney that would sideline him for the first round of the European Championship.
The forward was ejected from England's last qualifier, against Montenegro, for kicking a player. The Union of European Football Associations deemed that to be an assault and increased the automatic one-game ban.
''The FA can confirm it will be appealing the UEFA sanction against Wayne Rooney following his red card against Montenegro,'' the English governing body said Friday. ''The written reasons were received on Tuesday evening with a deadline of midnight tonight to respond, which we have now done so formally.''
The FA has until next week to submit the grounds for its appeal.
''Even if it's reduced by one game, it will be a bonus for me,'' Rooney said.
The victim of Rooney's challenge, defender Miodrag Dzudovic, has written to UEFA to lend his support to the Manchester United forward. Rooney is accepting full responsibility for the kick that came after losing possession.
''Obviously, it's devastating for me but it's something that's my own fault, so I can't really complain,'' he said this week. ''It was stupid by me. I regretted it as soon as I did it. It's no excuse, but I still feel the punishment is a bit harsh. I'm disappointed with it.''
Coach Fabio Capello has said Rooney is unlikely to be included in the roster announced Sunday for upcoming exhibitions against Spain and Sweden. Capello wants to use the matches and a February exhibition against the Netherlands to test alternatives.
