Cardiff to appeal Joe Ralls’ red card after horror tackle on Tottenham forward Lucas Moura
SunSport understands Cardiff will appeal the three-match ban because they do not believe the challenge fell under serious foul play
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CARDIFF are appealing Joe Ralls’ red card against Tottenham.
Ralls was sent off by referee Mike Dean for a tackle on Lucas Moura in the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Wembley.
But SunSport understands Cardiff will appeal the three-match ban because they do not believe the challenge fell under serious foul play.
And the Prem newboys, who had until 1pm on Monday to appeal, hope the decision will be overturned.
Ralls’ challenge was deemed to be cynical by many pundits, bringing Moura down as Tottenham launched a swift a counter-attack.
But that word is not included in the laws of the game - Law 12 Fouls and Misconduct.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, Ralls will miss games against Fulham at home after the international break followed by an away trip to Liverpool and a showdown with Leicester at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock was adamant after the game that the challenge warranted just a yellow card.
"I think Mike [Dean] when he sees it, he'll be disappointed really. A third of the refs would probably give it, two thirds would probably give a yellow card.
"At that stage with half an hour to go, on the halfway line… it wasn't a dangerous tackle, he hasn't endangered the life of a player so I don't know why it's a red card.
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"I thought Mike, an experienced referee, was going to give a yellow card from the start,
"But he left it - there were on or two busy people around today, the linesman and the fourth official - and I'm sure one of those influenced them.
"I think when he looks tonight he would have given a yellow card nine times out of 10 if it was left to him. I think he was wrong."