Sunderland appeal McCartney's red card for foul on Manchester City star SWP

23 March 2009 16:14
Sunderland will appeal against the red card shown to defender George McCartney in yesterday's 1-0 loss to Manchester City. McCartney was shown a straight red card by referee Steve Tanner inthe 15th minute for 'denying a goalscoring opportunity' after tugging the shoulder of Shaun Wright-Phillips on the edge of the area. However, replays suggested there was minimal contact while Wright-Phillips was not in full control of the ball. Tanner did not initially appear to see the incident, and only produced the red card after talking to his assistant Mo Matadar. After the game, Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia called on Tanner to rescind the decision 'There was some sort of contact but the goalkeeper had got the ball in his hands,' he said. 'The referee asked the linesman a question but there was nodefinitive answer. They ummed and ahhed a bit and came up with that. Itwas the pivotal moment.' If the red card is upheld, McCartney faces a one-match ban thatwill rule him out of the trip to play his former club West Ham a weekon Saturday.

Source: Daily_Mail