Rooney awaits FIFA verdict on red card

FIFA’s disciplinary chiefs will begin to consider Wayne Rooney’s suspension tomorrow.

Rooney was sent off for violent conduct in the World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

He will be hit with a fine and a ban which will rule him out of the start of the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Rooney stuck a boot in the groin of Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho and then pushed Cristiano Ronaldo in the chest.

Referee Horacio Elizondo produced the red card and England went on to lose the tie on penalties.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter offered his support to the Argentinian official this week.

The Football Association were given until tomorrow to offer their observations on the incident although, today, they refused to confirm whether or not they had submitted this information.

Rooney insists there was no intent in the incident which ended when he stamped on Carvalho, who was on the floor.

The England player said he was simply battling to keep possession and Carvalho slipped into the area where he was about to place his foot.

The FA were expected to support Rooney’s view and point out to FIFA that the striker was being fouled in the run-up to the flashpoint.

They also hope the disciplinary committee will consider the fact that Rooney was sent off in the biggest game of his life and that this had been a devastating blow for the 20-year-old.

England hope Rooney will escape with a suspension of two games.

FIFA may not complete their investigation tomorrow and there may not be an announcement until later in the week.