Wayne Rooney is set to miss the group stage of the 2012 European Championship after UEFA handed the striker a three-match ban for kicking Montenegro defender Miodrag Dzudovic during England's final qualifier.
According to the governing body’s rule book, a mandatory three-match ban is given for a straight red card. However, the player and the Football Association (FA) may appeal the decision.
England will find out their opponents for next year’s tournament, which Ukraine and Poland are co-hosting, in December.
After sending letters of mitigation to the UEFA panel, the FA had hoped to get away with a one or two-game ban.
However, by making England’s talisman ineligible for the entire group stages, manager Fabio Capello now faces a decision on whether to include Rooney in his tournament squad.