Manchester City Football Club News

• Nickname:Sky Blues
• Founded:1887
• Manager:Roberto Mancini

• Ground:City of Manchester Stadium
• Capacity:48,000

Barton appeal rejected

28 Dec 2006 - 14:41:11

Click To Enlarge

Manchester City have failed with an appeal against Joey Barton's sending-off in the 2-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers.

The Citizens had hoped to overturn the decision of referee Mike Riley, who dismissed the midfielder for a late lunge on Abdoulaye Faye, but Barton will now have to serve a three-match suspension.

Citizens boss Stuart Pearce had said at the time: "It was not a sending-off in my book. The most the tackle deserved was a yellow.

"It was a little bit of frustration and if you look at it again it was a lunge and only minimal contact was made.

"Hopefully it will be rescinded, because I honestly do not feel it was a red card offence."