UEFA sets December 9 for Wayne Rooney appeal

UEFA has decided that December 9 is the day that they will listen Wayne Rooney's appeal for his current three-match ban for Euro 2012. The England and Manchester United striker was sent-off in England's final Euro 2012 qualifier versus Montenegro after he kicked at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic. The red-card in itself is mostly indisputable but Rooney and the England FA feel that the punishment is harsh. Wazza has called his own actions "stupid" but Dzudovic himself has already written to UEFA in lending support for the striker. If the current three-match ban stands, Rooney would miss the entirety of group-stage play for England. Here what UEFA had to say in their statement in regards to this matter:

"The UEFA Appeals Body will deal with the case of England striker Wayne Rooney on Friday 9 December at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon. This follows UEFA's receipt on Friday 4 November of the official written appeal from the English Football Association against the three-match suspension given to Rooney by the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body on 13 October."

In the lead-up to Euro 2012, England manager Fabio Capello has indicated that Rooney will not be called into the England squad for friendlies. This will be an opportunity to adjust to life without the striker and also a chance for younger players to receive international experience. However, speculation is that Capello would still bring Rooney to Ukraine/Poland for next summer's finals even if the three-match ban holds up.

The United perspective is this -- their talisman will not have to worry about England duty and during international breaks, he will be able to rest. Rooney is someone United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would like to select at every opportunity. Now the legendary manager can select Wazza to play twice in the week before international breaks without the worry of his attacker being further fatigued the following week while on England duty.