Fabio Capello takes blame for Wayne Rooney ban as Uefa appeal succeeds
Wayne Rooney has been cleared to play in England's final group game at Euro 2012, after Fabio Capello took full responsibility for the striker's red card against Montenegro and urged a Uefa disciplinary panel not to punish him for an experienced manager's mistake.
The England manager was instrumental in convincing the governing body of European football to reduce Rooney's ban – for kicking the Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic in a qualifier in October – from three matches to two. The appeal prompted the Liverpool manager, Kenny Dalglish, to accuse the Football Association of double standards, but it represented a significant boost for England.
Capello told a three-man panel at Uefa headquarters in Nyon that he should have substituted Rooney at half-time in Podgorica as, in the England manager's opinion and contrary to what was said in public at the time, the Manchester United forward was distracted by the arrest of his father and uncle 24 hours before the game as part of an investigation into betting irregularities. Both men vigorously deny any involvement.
Though the hearing was held in private, sources in Nyon revealed that Capello said he realised Rooney was not in the right frame of mind during the 2-2 draw and should have withdrawn the striker. Instead, the 26-year-old was dismissed, for violent conduct in the 74th minute, and faced missing England's three group matches next summer until Uefa granted him a reprieve.
Wayne Rooney Sr and Richie Rooney were arrested by Merseyside police on the eve of England's final qualifier, as part of inquiries into Steve Jennings, the Merseyside-born Motherwell midfielder, allegedly getting himself sent off in a defeat by Hearts last year. The Rooneys were bailed pending further inquiries and have since vowed to clear their names.
Following Rooney's dismissal Capello said: "It was no mistake to pick him." His Montenegrin opposite number, Branko Brnovic, said: "They are serious problems and maybe that's why he did what he did." In Nyon, Capello's stance shifted towards Brnovic's assessment and the admission that he had mishandled Rooney's predicament in Montenegro was taken into consideration by the panel.
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