Jonny Payne
Arsenal have tonight appealed against the red card issued to Tomas Vermaelen in the 2-0 victory over West Ham United.
The Football Association released the following statement:
The FA has received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen.
Vermaelen was shown a red card for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity during Arsenal’s match against West Ham United on Saturday 20 March.
A Regulatory Commission will hear the claim on Tuesday 23 March.
Vermaelen was set to miss the crucial trip to Birmingham City at the weekend after he saw red for his innocuous challenge on striker Guillermo Franco in the first half of Saturday night’s match with the Hammers.
Arsene Wenger complained to referee Martin Atkinson about the decision at half-time and the Arsenal manager said after the match:
I felt it was very harsh. We have seen this situation so many times in the game without it being punished at all.
With Sol Campbell expected to be rested for the trip to Birmingham, the absence of Vermaelen would have forced Wenger into moving Alex Song into defence alongside Mikael Silvestre, but if the appeal is successful the Belgian will be able to line-up alongside one of the aforementioned at St.Andrews.
Do you think Vermaelen will be let-off? Have your say below.
