Friedel red card rescinded

Villa keeper free to face United after successful appeal

Last updated: 24th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Friedel red card rescinded

Friedel: Red card overturned

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Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel's appeal against the red card he received against Liverpool has been successful.

Friedel was sent off during the second half of Villa's 5-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday after bringing down Liverpool striker Fernando Torres in the box.

The American was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson, but after the match Friedel told Sky Sports of his disappointment with the decision.

He said at the time: "I just stood my ground, and as the cameras show I turned my shoulders to show that I didn't try to make contact. He is the one who ran in and made contact with me.

"Does he have an argument for a penalty? Sure. Does he have an argument for a booking? Sure. But sending off is very harsh considering he had a defender alongside him."

Villa lodged an appeal on Monday with the Football Association and a disciplinary panel has overturned the dismissal.

The decision means Friedel will not have to serve a one-match suspension and is free to play in Villa's next game at Premier League leaders Manchester United on Sunday 5th April, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.

Meanwhile, Villa full-back Wilfred Bouma played 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday night as he continues his recovery from a dislocated ankle.

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