Leicester confirm appeal against Jamie Vardy red card at Stoke
Monday 19 December 2016 20:14, UK
Leicester City have confirmed they have lodged an appeal against Jamie Vardy's red card against Stoke City.
Sky sources had revealed the Premier League champions were to challenge the dismissal earlier on Monday, and Leicester have now issued a statement claiming "for an instance of wrongful dismissal".
Leicester are expecting the Football Association to come to a decision on the appeal in the coming days.
Vardy was shown a straight red card for by referee Craig Pawson for a two-footed challenge on Mame Biram Diouf in the 28th minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw at the bet365 Stadium.
If the Foxes fail in their appeal, Vardy will miss the Boxing Day visit of Everton, the home game with West Ham on New Year's Eve and a trip to Middlesbrough on January 2.
Leicester are already expected to receive an automatic fine from the FA after having six players booked during the fixture, including five in the final seven minutes of the first half.
Despite having to play more than an hour with 10 men following Vardy's dismissal, Leicester fought back from 2-0 down to draw after Leonardo Ulloa and Daniel Amartey scored in the final 16 minutes.
Speaking after the match, Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insisted there was no malice in Vardy's challenge.
The Italian said: "I don't know, let me think, if it is possible, yes. He wants to challenge and get the ball, not make a foul.
"If you listen to me I say, 'No' (it was not a red card), if you listen to (Stoke manager) Mark Hughes, he says, 'Yes'. But the decision is the referee and he says it's a red card. There was a big challenge between Johnson and Vardy. He touched the ball. Maybe it was yellow."
