Joe Cole will serve three-match ban after Liverpool decide not to appeal against red card

16 August 2010 13:52
You're off: Joe Cole is given his marching orders[LNB]Joe Cole's red card on his home Premier League debut for Liverpool will stand after the club did not appeal before Monday afternoon's deadline.[LNB]The FA confirmed Liverpool had not contested Cole's controversial dismissal against Arsenal by 1pm, meaning the 28-year-old will serve a three-match ban.[LNB]Cole was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Laurent Koscielny in first-half injury-time of the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Anfield.[LNB]New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson felt the verdict was harsh and the club were considering whether to appeal.[LNB]He said after Sunday's game: 'We now have the benefit of replays on the TV and those replays suggest to me he was a little bit unlucky.'[LNB]But the club have decided not to appeal and will therefore be without Cole for their Premier League matches against Manchester City, West Brom and Birmingham.[LNB]The England midfielder will be available for Thursday's Europa League play-off round first leg with Trabzonspor and the second leg the following week. He will be out of league action until the September 19 trip to Manchester United.[LNB]A Liverpool statement said: 'Roy Hodgson said after the game that the club would analyse the incident before deciding whether to lodge an appeal. Liverpool have now chosen not to take the matter further.'[LNB] Pepe Reina will prove his class despite howler against Arsenal, says Liverpool's Steven Gerrard At this rate, Premier League stars won't survive till September... let alone May! LIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail