Boateng wins red card appeal
07 Dec 2006 - 15:26:28
Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng is free to face Wigan Athletic at the weekend after the FA rescinded the red card he received in Tuesday's fiery clash with Tottenham.
The Dutch midfielder successfully appealed his dismissal towards the end of Boro's 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane after he clashed with Spurs' Didier Zokora.
The incident sparked an ugly melee and when order was restored, both Boateng and Zokora were sent off by referee Mark Halsey.
After the match Boro boss Gareth Southgate immediately leaped to the defence of his player, saying: "I've seen it on the replay.
"The only problem George Boateng has is that he raises his hands to protect himself, so we'll ask the referee to look at it."
Boateng was facing a four-match suspension for violent conduct had the appeal failed.