Routledge’s three match ban has been overturned on appeal.
Swansea City winger Wayne Routledge has had his red card for violent conduct in the New Year’s Day draw against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road overturned, the FA have confirmed, meaning that the winger’s three match ban has been lifted and he will be available for selection for this weekend’s FA Cup third round tie against League Two strugglers Tranmere Rovers.
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Routledge received a straight red card after reacting to a horror tackle from Rangers midfielder Karl Henry in the closing stages of an entertaining 1-1 draw at Loftus Road – although the replay appeared to show that Routledge had, if anything, shown restraint after a tackle that Henry was extremely fortunate to escape a red card for himself.
Swans manager Garry Monk slammed the officiating after the game and claimed that he hoped the right decision was made with the appeal, whilst the visitors were also angry that QPR goalkeeper Rob Green escaped an early red card after appearing to handle the ball outside his penalty area when Routledge had raced through.
The ten man Welsh side did manage to come back and rescue a point, however, when Wilfried Bony struck with a wonderful goal in injury time – although that is not likely to dampen the feeling of injustice that Monk and his side would have felt after the final whistle.