Hammers appeal Defoe dismissal

West Ham have made an appeal for wrongful dismissal to the Football Association after striker Jermain Defoe was sent off against Walsall on Saturday.

The England Under-21 international – reported to be a target for Manchester United and Arsenal in the January transfer window – was shown a straight red card by referee Scott Matheson for what the official saw as a kick at Walsall’s Ian Roper.

Hammers manager Alan Pardew claimed Defoe intended to kick the floor in frustration and did not mean to aim it in Roper’s direction.

The FA’s video advisory panel will now view a tape of the incident to decide if Defoe should be charged with violent conduct or whether the red card should be rescinded.

It was Defoe’s third dismissal of the season and the game at the Bescot Stadium was his second since returning from a five-match ban for a dismissal against West Brom.