Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney pleas to be treated like Andrey Arshavin
Wayne Rooney will use the two-match ban handed to Russia's Andrey Arshavin at Euro 2008 as the cornerstone of his appeal against the longer suspension he received for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in England's final Euro 2012 qualifier last month. [LNB]Rooney accepts the blame for that moment of petulance but feels he should not be treated more harshly than Arshavin, who was sent off for violent conduct against Andorra in Russia's final qualifier before the European finals four years ago. [LNB] Plea: Wayne Rooney hopes to have his ban reduced by UEFA[LNB]Rooney is appealing against UEFA's three-match ban that would force him to miss the group games next summer in Poland and Ukraine. [LNB]He is ready to travel to Switzerland to speak to the appeal panel and the Arshavin factor is uppermost in his mind. [LNB]The Manchester United star said: 'It's hard for me. It was a stupid thing to do, but missing three games is a harsh punishment. The one thing which is disappointing is that Arshavin got two games for the same thing. I don't see any difference to what I did so I don't really understand that.' [LNB] Seeing red: Rooney was sent off for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic last month[LNB]Arshavin was banned after kicking Ildefons Lima and Guus Hiddink, then Russian manager, said he would not have named the player in his squad if he had been ruled out for the entire group stage. [LNB]Rooney and the FA decided to appeal in the hope that Arshavin's punishment sets a precedent but it is a gamble if UEFA decide there were mitigating factors, as he had been provoked by his opponent. [LNB]UEFA have the right to increase Rooney's suspension if his appeal fails and that would make it more difficult for Capello to name him in the squad.[LNB] Precedent: Andrey Arshavin was allowed to star at Euro 2008[LNB] [LNB]Rooney says he will travel to the finals whatever the outcome, adding: 'Even if I'm not picked in the squad, I will go to the Euros as a fan.' [LNB]England boss Fabio Capello, however, has assured the striker that he will be there with England but Rooney is bracing himself to be left out of the squad to face Spain and Sweden. [LNB]He said: 'I'd like to be in it but I understand it's hard for him to give me game time because he has to play other players and see what works.' [LNB] The FA appeal to UEFA over length of Rooney's Euro 2012 banCapello will leave out Rooney as England striker admits Dzudovic kick was 'stupid'Man United 1 Sunderland 0: Brown's own goal ensures Fergie's big day doesn't fall flat[LNB]
