Fabio Capello accepts Wayne Rooney's latest "eruption" is the price to be paid for dealing with a footballing superstar.
Capello will omit Rooney from his England squad for this month's friendlies with Spain and Sweden when it is named on Sunda evening. Instead, he wants to give his star striker a rest, knowing at some stage late next week the FA will put forward their case attempting to reduce the three-match ban for his dismissal in Montenegro last month that threatens to rule Rooney out the Euro 2012 group stages.
"He is a great player, very generous on the pitch," said Capello. "Sometimes these eruptions happen with players. Normally he is really good. But this happens. Now we need to wait for the appeal."
Capello resisted the chance to state outright he would be taking Rooney to Poland and Ukraine, although it seems certain he will, in the knowledge that the striker will not have to serve any greater suspension that three matches due to UEFA's complicated appeals process.
The player Rooney was red carded for lashing out at, Miodrag Dzudovic, has already been in touch with the FA to express his support for the England man, who admitted his actions in Podgorica had been "stupid".
The matter is now in the hands of the FA's legal team, and a specialist sports lawyer who has been employed specifically for the task, who must outline the precise reasons why they feel Rooney has been harshly treated.
However, Capello believes Rooney's conduct immediately after the red card may help.
"He walked - it was perfect," said the England coach.
"There was no question against the referee, nothing. He understood he made a big mistake and walked straight to the dressing room.
"That is a really important thing (for the) appeal."
Source: PA
