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London - Sunderland have announced on Monday that they will appeal against the red card shown to defender Wes Brown during their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Stoke City on Saturday.
Brown was shown a straight red card by referee Kevin Friend after making an apparently clean challenge on Charlie Adam in the 36th minute of the game, prompting a furious reaction from Sunderland manager Gustavo Poyet.
Sunderland confirmed that they have lodged an intention to appeal against the decision with the Football Association and will submit a formal appeal before the deadline to do so passes on Tuesday.
"We have lodged our intention to appeal against the decision," a club spokeswoman told Britain's Press Association.
Brown was sent off with Sunderland trailing 1-0 to a goal by Adam and Poyet identified the incident as a pivotal turning point in the match.
"It was a key moment - a moment when we were trying to come back and take the game to Stoke," said the Uruguayan.
"We were down to 10 men for no reason. I would like to know why.
"If someone can explain, I will think about it.
"I am sure there is no explanation, so nobody will call me. I don't even think it is a foul."
West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke revealed last week that the head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, Mike Riley, had called him to apologise for a penalty awarded to Chelsea in their recent 2-2 draw against his side, and Poyet said that Sunderland were also deserving of an apology.
"Maybe Mike Riley needs to call me on Monday," he said.
"I will have my phone on."
