Arsenal and Chelsea await red-card appeals

Arsenal will find out later today whether or not they will lose a second key man to a three-match suspension.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor has, along with Chelsea’s Mikel John Obi, lodged an appeal with the Football Association for wrongful dismissal in the hope of having a red card in the Carling Cup final rescinded.

However, Gunners skipper Kolo Toure, who was also sent off for his part in the mass brawl at the end of Sunday’s match at the Millennium Stadium, has not, and so will automatically serve a ban.

Under the FA’s fast-track disciplinary process, the appeals will be held today, meaning a decision will come ahead of Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth-round replay at Blackburn tomorrow night.

The melée at the Millennium Stadium was sparked following a confrontation between Mikel and Toure, with players and coaches from both sides becoming involved.

Adebayor protested his innocence but the Togo striker could yet face further sanctions for the way in which he confronted referee Howard Webb and refused to immediately leave the pitch.

Adebayor said: “When the referee showed me a red card I could not believe it.

“I remember straight away [Arsenal physio] Gary Lewin came to me to say: ’Come on Manu. Let’s go,’ but I said: ’Just leave me to me ask one question. Why did he give me a red card?’

“A lot of people thought I was going to hit him, but I was not.”