Montenegrin international Miodrag Dzudovic, who got kicked by English star Wayne Rooney during a Euro 2012 qualifier, has filed a letter to UEFA asking to lift the offender’s three-match ban.
Dzudovic believes the punishment that Rooney received from European football’s governing body was too harsh, as it sees the striker missing all of his country’s group-stage matches at the event in Poland and Ukraine next summer.
According to the Daily Mirror, a journalist at Russia’s Sovetsky Sport newspaper journalist helped Dzudovic write the letter, which he then signed.
“Miodrag would like to underline that he didn’t notice any signs of aggression in Rooney’s actions,” the note said. “In his opinion, the England national team player was driven by emotions and it was an act of desperation rather than anger.”
“The most important detail we ask to take notice of is Wayne Rooney’s apology,” the letter continues. “He realized his fault and felt guilty. UEFA pays so much attention to ‘Fair Play’ principles, but Wayne’s behavior is the brightest example of fairness.”
“It is rare when a player leaves the field blaming no one but himself after being sent off,” the note concluded. “In our opinion, Wayne Rooney shouldn’t be banned even for a single game. We hope to be heard in UEFA.”
In earlier interviews, Dzudovic said he would speak on Rooney’s behalf if he decides to appeal against the UEFA’s decision.
The Montenegrin, who plays for Spartak Nalchik, coincidentally got injured in a similar incident in the Russian Premier League match against CSKA on Friday, with Vagner Love tackling him violently from behind.
The Brazilian, who also apologized to the 32 year old after the game, may now face a long disqualification, too, while Dzudovic risks missing his country’s crucial Euro 2012 playoff clash against the Czech Republic.