http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/970488/wayne-rooney-victim-miodrag-dzudovic-will-back-ban-appeal?cc=5901
Wayne Rooney's red-card victim, Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic, has offered to speak on the England striker's behalf should he appeal against his three-match international ban.
Rooney kicked out at Dzudovic during England's Euro 2012 qualifier at the Stadion Pod Goricom and was consequently sent off in the 2-2 draw.
On Thursday, UEFA handed Rooney a three-match ban that will rule him out of the entire group stage at Euro 2012 and the FA is mulling over all the details before deciding if they will appeal the suspension.
But Rooney's victim, 32-year-old Dzudovic, believes UEFA's punishment is too harsh and is ready to help the Manchester United striker fight his ban.
"I will speak for Rooney if he appeals against his ban," the 32-year-old Spartak Nalchik defender tol the Daily Mirror. "I don't think it was fair (the punishment). He just was not thinking in that moment and after that he realised what he had done. He realised immediately what he had done and he apologised to me.
"It was really painful. I had a slight swelling after game but I didn't have a bruise. I wasn't shocked because I wasn't aware of the kick at that moment."
The draw in Podgorica was enough to earn Montenegro a place in the play-offs and Dzudovic would relish the chance to play against Rooney once again, should his side qualify for this summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine.
"Yes, sure, I would like to play against him," Dzudovic said. "He is a really great player and his team is always a pleasure (to play against)."
The FA has got three days after receiving UEFA's full report to decide whether to appeal against Rooney's ban.
Russia midfielder Andrei Arshavin only received a two-game ban for a similar offence before Euro 2008 and the FA is hoping for a one-game reduction in Rooney's suspension.
we're gonna get battered
