Everton's Jack Rodwell has had his red card in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Liverpool rescinded following a successful appeal.Rodwell was sent-off by referee Martin Atkinson after just 23 minutes of the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park, following a tackle on Reds striker Luis Suarez that was deemed reckless.
However, TV replays showed Atkinson made the incorrect decision and the Football Association has upheld Rodwell's claim for wrongful dismissal. The verdict means the midfielder's three-match suspension, for serious foul play, has also been withdrawn.
Immediately after the derby-day defeat Everton manager David Moyes expressed his amazement at Atkinson's decision.
"I thought it ruined the game. That wasn't down to a bad tackle,'' Moyes said. "I would have been disappointed if it had been a free-kick. I don't think anyone in this world thought it was [a sending off].''
Rodwell, 20, will now be availble for Everton's next three Premier League matches against Chelsea, Fulham and Manchester United.
Everton's chief executive Robert Elstone welcomed the overturning of Rodwell's red card but said it meant little in the wake of a defeat to Liverpool.
"Whilst we welcome the correct decision the FA panel has reached, it's of course an outcome which will provide little consolation whatsoever to the 37,000 Evertonians packed into Goodison on Saturday to watch the 2-0 defeat,'' he told the club's website.
"The Merseyside derby is a special occasion and many of our fans will have made financial sacrifices to make sure they were there to support the team.
"From the press, radio and television reports that surfaced in the aftermath of Saturday's events, they were almost unanimous in their verdict and we are pleased with the news that quite rightly the red card has been rescinded.''
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright added: "One of the biggest tragedies was for Jack himself. He has had a terrific season and was by far and away the most influential midfielder on the pitch up to that point.
"To deny him the opportunity to continue on such an important occasion must have been incredibly difficult for Jack - as it was for his team-mates, manager and, of course, the fans.'
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