Campbell in red card appeal

Campbell in red card appeal

Campbell's red card provoked a storm of protest

Arsenal have appealed against defender Sol Campbell's sending off against Manchester United.

Campbell was red-carded for violent conduct after allegedly elbowing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Wednesday.

The central defender is currently due to miss the last three games of the season as well as the FA Cup final.

But an appeal may delay his ban which would bring into question his participation in England's summer matches.

A current ruling means players serving suspensions cannot play for the national team in non-competitive internationals.

I have seen it again on the video and it was obviously accidental

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

But the Football Association Board will meet on 8 May to discuss scrapping the rule which would put England in line with most of their main rivals and help coach Sven Goran Eriksson in his squad selections.

An FA spokesman said: "We no longer feel it's fair that domestic suspensions should be carried over to the national team when this is not the case in other countries.

"Obviously we want to provide the England coach with every opportunity to field his strongest side."

Campbell's club manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the club's decision to contest the player's dismissal:

"We will appeal," he said. "I have seen it again on the video and it was obviously accidental.

"Sol didn't mean to hurt [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer and his reaction did not help. A four-game ban would be very unjust."

Campbell was dismissed on the advice given to referee Mark Halsey by referee's assistant Nigel Miller.

Halsey has agreed to look at the incident again.

Campbell said: "This could be my season.

It wasn't as though I was looking for him (Solskjaer), turning around and trying deliberately to injure him

Sol Campbell

"If he doesn't agree it was accidental then I guess that's it, really.

"It's really tough because I've worked so bloody hard to get this far.

"I can understand that the referee has to stand by his linesman.

"Hopefully in his heart, the referee can make the right decision for me.

"I did touch him, but it was not deliberate," Campbell said.

"It wasn't as though I was looking for him (Solskjaer), turning around and trying deliberately to injure him.

"Everybody knows I am not that sort of player and hopefully the video will prove it to the referee."

Campbell, who registered the 49th dismissal of manager Arsene Wenger's seven-year tenure, will have to serve an automatic three-match ban plus one game extra as it was his second red card this season.

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