English Premiership
City to appeal Kompany red
2013-01-14 15:02
Vincent Kompany, right (AFP)
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London - Premier League champions Manchester City confirmed on Monday they would appeal against the red card handed out to captain Vincent Kompany in their 2-0 win away to Arsenal on Sunday.
Kompany was dismissed 15 minutes from time by referee Mike Dean at the Emirates Stadium on the grounds he'd used excessive force in tackling Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, despite getting to the ball first.
VIDEO: Vincent Kompany's red card
A brief statement on City's website on Monday said: "City have appealed the red card Vincent Kompany was shown during Sunday's 2-0 win at Arsenal.
"If upheld, he will miss the next three games.
Both Kompany and City manager Roberto Mancini made clear their displeasure at Dean's decision after the match, with the 26-year-old central defender taking to his Twitter account to indicate an appeal was likely.
"Massive congrats to our team and fans, great game! Also. No grudges against the referee, I understand the difficulty of the job," tweeted Kompany after a win that saw City stay seven points behind leaders Manchester United.
"About the tackle: If the ball is overrun by the opponent and a 50/50 challenge occurs, collision is inevitable."
He added: "Ultimately I'm a defender: Appeal may work or not. I will never pull out of a challenge, as much as I will never intend to injure a player.
"It's about the team and our team looks strong at the moment. We need to maintain this level of performance."
Meanwhile, Mancini told reporters: "It was not a sending off - I have seen the TV replays and he goes in with his left foot with his right foot trailing behind - it was not a sending off.
However, Kompany risks being banned for a further match if he launches an unsuccessful appeal - a suspension which would see him miss the Liverpool visit at the start of February.
First-half goals from James Milner and Edin Dzeko secured victory against an Arsenal side who themselves played most of the match a man down after defender Laurent Koscielny saw red for a 10th minute foul on Dzeko.