McCartney appeal successful

24 March 2009 14:58
Sunderland defender George McCartney has had the red card he received against Manchester City on Sunday rescinded. McCartney was dismissed after just 15 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at Eastlands after tangling with Shaun Wright-Phillips as they chased a long ball over the top. Referee Steve Tanner consulted with his assistant before brandishing the red card, a decision which baffled McCartney and left manager Ricky Sbragia fuming. The Black Cats boss insisted that goalkeeper Marton Fulop would have claimed the ball ahead of Wright-Phillips even without the minimal contact from McCartney. Sbragia said after the match: "He made some sort of contact, but I thought the keeper already had the ball in his hands. He was never going to get the ball." Sunderland confirmed they would seek to have the dismissal overturned and the Football Association have now upheld their appeal. Northern Ireland international McCartney was due to serve a one-match ban but he will now be free to face his former club West Ham on 4th April.

Source: SKY_Sports