Source: Eurosport
Rovers to launch Roberts appeal
Blackburn are ready to launch an appeal against Jason Roberts' red card after manager Sam Allardyce rounded on referee Mike Jones.
Roberts has only been the pitch for 10 minutes in the second half against West Brom when he was red-carded for an alleged off-the-ball incident with Jonas Olsson. It means Roberts will miss the first three games of next season - but Allardyce insisted after the goalless draw that Jones got the decision wrong.
Allardyce said: "The referee said Jason had been sent off for punching Olsson. It is not a punch. It is not even an elbow in the face. He has swung around to get his arm away from Olsson, who is having a tug at him. I have had a look at it on the laptop and I cannot see how it is a straight red card."
He added: "Jason is looking at missing three games unless common sense prevails and the appeals committee agree with my view on it."
Allardyce said the incident spoiled a game in which Tugay made his 294th and final appearance for Blackburn - at 38 he is retiring.
It is also the end of South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena's time at the club as he revealed he had agreed a three-year deal with Portsmouth.
The 28-year-old midfielder made only 10 starts for the club this season and was on the bench against West Brom.
He is keen to get more games under his belt with the World Cup being staged in his homeland next year.
"I can leave in peace knowing that I've been honest to the team, I've been loyal," he told Radio Rovers.
"So it is going to be a good challenge for me going to Portsmouth and we'll see how it goes."
