Redknapp has a pop at FA chiefs

Rooney's suspension for next summer's tournament was cut from three matches to two at a UEFA hearing in Switzerland on Thursday. Redknapp thinks the FA's stance is hypocritical as he is sure that had the Manchester United player lashed out in a similar manner to his kick at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in a domestic game, the 26-year-old would be suspended for three matches and an appeal might have brought even more. Redknapp, the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss, said: "In all honesty it was a three-match ban for violent conduct. "You can look at it and say it wasn't that violent, but it doesn't matter. If you cuff someone, you get a three-match ban. Those are the rules. "If you appealed it (domestically), it would be a frivolous appeal and you would probably get four games if you went to the FA." They are similar comments to those expressed by Liverpool boss Dalglish yesterday, and Redknapp now expects the FA to be besieged with appeals for domestic red cards. "For them to get it from three to two, it opens up a can of worms," he said. "There will be clubs appealing against bans and they will want to know why they aren't getting it cut from three to two for similar situations. "People will look at it and think, 'Hang on, the FA have gone and appealed against his (Rooney's) red, why can't we?' "From England's point of view, I'm pleased to see him get two because he's that important to England, but in all honesty, the rules are supposed to be the rules and they have not been adhered to in this situation." So, once again, the FA find themselves on the back foot. Yesterday, they attempted to clarify their own position and have done the same again today. Essentially, there is a significant difference in the manner in which UEFA and the FA deal with discipline. Whereas UEFA prefer to offer guidance to their disciplinary body, and a sliding scale of punishments, the FA lays down set sanctions, partly due to the time constraints brought about by the huge number of games they must govern. Had the Rooney incident occurred in a domestic game, he would have known instantly he faced a three-game ban for violent conduct. However, such are UEFA's rules that when he was shown the red card in Podgorica, Rooney was left facing a minimum one-match suspension, with the likelihood that it would be increased to two or three. As this punishment did not cover friendlies, and as England had avoided the Euro 2012 play-offs, the first match affected was the Three Lions' opening group game against France in Donetsk on June 11. Under such circumstances, the FA, whose twin functions are administering disciplinary matters and running the England team, felt they were duty-bound to try to reduce the suspension Rooney faced. They succeeded in that aim yesterday, partly because Capello admitted he made a mistake not taking Rooney, who had suffered off-field problems involving his father and uncle, off at half-time. "It is important that people understand that amongst the many duties of the FA we have responsibility for the England team and also, separately, to oversee the domestic game's regulatory function," said FA chairman David Bernstein. "Our philosophy for the national team is clear. We will run this along the same lines and with the same focus and commitment as any football club in this country. Our fans would expect no less. "To achieve this we will fully support our manager and our players. "This is simply what we have sought to achieve in reducing Wayne Rooney's suspension. I am very pleased that we have been successful in this appeal. "The FAs disciplinary department has stated, from the outset, that the domestic regulatory process is different to that of UEFA's. "In the case of Wayne Rooney we have been well and independently advised and have followed proper UEFA process throughout. "Our management and players respect that domestic disciplinary decisions of he FA are made independently of matters relating to the English national team." At least Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is happy. "It is no problem for me," said the Scot, countering suggestions that he was not interested in the well-being of England's national team. "I am pleased for Wayne Rooney and England. It does give them a better chance."

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/redknapp_has_a_pop_at_fa_chiefs/8627458

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