Black Cats appreal against Caldwell decision

Sunderland defender Stephen Caldwell has appealed against his dismissal for a professional foul during his side’s defeat at Fulham.

The Scotland international was sent off after 57 minutes at Craven Cottage for bringing down Heidar Helguson just outside the penalty area, with the score locked at 1-1.

Fulham went on to win 2-1 with a 61st-minute strike from Collins John, but Caldwell was left facing a one-match ban, which would rule him out of this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Northwich.

The Football Association revealed on their website, www.theFA.com: “The FA has received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Sunderland relating to the sending-off of Stephen Caldwell.

“He was shown a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity during Sunderland’s Premier League match against Fulham on January 2.

“The claim will be considered by a disciplinary commission tomorrow.”

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy had insisted after the 2-1 defeat that Caldwell’s dismissal was “a bit harsh“.

McCarthy added: “If it was a free-kick, you could understand it, but he’s not intentionally brought him down. It’s not a professional foul and I think it’s the striker’s movement that caused it.

“Stephen Caldwell clipped his legs but that was the striker running across him.”