Friedel red card rescinded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Friedel red card rescinded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

Related links

Teams

Players

Also see

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.