Furious Karagounis wants yellow card ‘injustice’ reviewed as Greece go gunning for glory

Greece star Giorgos Karagounis has demanded UEFA rescind a yellow card for diving that has ruined his Euro 2012 dream; having also been denied a place in the final itself eight years ago.

The Panathinaikos man scored the winning goal against Russia on Saturday that has sent underdogs Greece into the last eight in Poland on a real high and lifted the mood of a nation that is suffering so badly in the economic crisis.

But his night was ruined by referee Jonas Eriksson who controversially booked him for trying to win a penalty when tripped from behind by Russian defender Sergei Ignashevich — which means he has collected two yellow cards in the group stage and misses the next match.

An angry Karagounis, who was also suspended for the Euro 2004 final in Portugal when Greece were crowned champions by beating the hosts in a fairytale finish in Lisbon, has now insisted the decision should be reviewed.

“It’s a shame I won’t be able to play in the quarter-finals. It’s a yellow card that I didn’t deserve; it was a clear penalty,” he said.

“I believe UEFA has to see the video and decide there is no reason for me to get punished; and not just me but all the players of Greece.

“It’s an injustice and it’s very tough. I lost the Euro 2004 final and now I’m losing the quarter-final here, which is such an important match.”

Karagounis’ fate brings back memories of the Champions League final when Chelsea and Bayern Munich both lost a string of players to Uefa’s controversial ‘two cards and you’re out’ rule.

“They should change it,” insisted Karagounis. “It’s an injustice. Especially when you get a yellow card without any reason. Instead of a penalty today, there was a yellow card. This is not fair.

Karagounis is unlikely to be successful in his appeal, however, unless European football’s ruling body performs a remarkable u-turn in policy. Uefa rules state very clearly that only red cards can be officially appealed.