Mancini says club will appeal Kompany red

MANCHESTER City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed the club intend to appeal against Vincent Kompany’s red card in yesterday’s defeat to Manchester United.

The defender was sent off for a tackle on Nani 11 minutes into the FA Cup tie. As the City captain has already been sent off for a straight red card offence once this season, he is facing a four-match ban unless he can overturn the suspension.

“We will appeal,” said Mancini. “I am sure we will win.”

Mancini opted not to criticise referee Chris Foy. “I don’t want to talk about the referee because I want to stay on the bench for the next game,” he said. “But I think it is impossible.”

Kompany stands to miss both legs of the Carling Cup semi-final with Liverpool, in addition to Premier League games against Wigan and Tottenham.

Sir Alex Ferguson pulled no punches afterwards, claiming it was the right decision and that Kompany has been guilty of similar transgressions before. “It was a sending-off,” said the Manchester United manager.

“It was a two-footed tackle. I have seen him do it before. He has got off with it in the past. But if Nani gets caught, he has a problem. It was a real bad one.”

However, Mancini had his own gripe after Wayne Rooney gestured to referee Chris Foy in the aftermath of Kompany’s challenge, seemingly encouraging the referee to dismiss the Belgian.

Mancini, vilified for waving an imaginary red card during the win over Liverpool on Tuesday, said: “When I did this against Liverpool, people told me not to do it.

“I said I was sorry and made a mistake.”