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Manchester United and England Striker Wayne Rooney to Learn UEFA EURO 2012 Fate on Thursday

Stewart Flaherty, October 11 2011,
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has found himself under the media spotlight in the wake if his silly red card during the recent 2-2 draw in Montenegro.
Wayne Rooney trudges off after receiving a red card in Montenegro.
Wayne Rooney trudges off after receiving a red card in Montenegro.
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Rooney’s rash kick aimed at Miodrag Dzudovic forced England to play a man down for the last 17 minutes. The rattled Three Lions would go on to concede an injury time equalizer as Montenegro sealed themselves a EURO 2012 qualifying playoff.

England themselves sealed automatic qualification for the Poland/Ukraine tournament, but the sending off of Rooney put a dampener on proceedings and the effect will continue to linger.

Firstly, Rooney has ensured the hysterical English media should use him as a whipping boy for a few weeks at least. Any negative attention tends to be blown out of proportion, and can become an unwelcome distraction.

England manager Fabio Capello will also suffer on-field consequences for Rooney’s moment of madness. It is certain that the Red Devils striker will be suspended during the EURO 2012 tournament, and England do not yet know the extent of his ban.

Rooney is automatically suspended for the opening game of the tournament, and a UEFA disciplinary panel will meet on Thursday to discuss the severity of the ban. It is possible the ban could be extended to two or three games, and possibly mean Rooney missing the entire group stages of the tournament.

“The decision depends on the situation and also on the past of the player – if it is a first red card or not,” a UEFA spokesman told BBC Sport.

The petulant nature of Rooney’s actions in Montenegro, coupled with his previous red card for violent conduct when playing for England makes an extended ban a strong possibility.

Capello must now groom another striker to start for England when the tournament begins, and has already expressed his intention to focus on strikers other than Rooney in the buildup to the tournament.

England have a friendly next month against World Champions Spain, and Capello will not be using his star striker. “Rooney will not play against Spain – absolutely. I want to test new players, a different style and a new different movement, something different,” Capello told BBC Sport.

“I have a lot of good forwards at this moment, really good forwards, and I need to find the best solution,” added Capello.

Options that could be used by Capello include Jermain Defoe (15 England goals), Peter Crouch (22) and Darren Bent (4).

If Rooney comes back after England win a few games in the tournament his presence could provide a welcome boost. However, if England are to succeed at EURO 2012, they must start winning games without their best attacking talent.

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