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Rooney to miss Euro 2012 group stage

Wayne Rooney was sent off against Montenegro © Getty Images

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England will be without Wayne Rooney for their entire group stage campaign at this summer's Euro 2012 Championships, after UEFA issued the forward a three-game ban on Thursday.

Rooney faced a definite suspension of at least one match after he kicked out at Miodrag Dzudovic during the 2-2 draw with Montenegro. However, due to the violent nature of the offence, UEFA decided further punishment was necessary. England have three days to appeal the decision.

An FA statement said: "Further to UEFA's decision to impose a three-match suspension on Wayne Rooney following his sending off against Montenegro, the FA await the full reasons from the disciplinary committee, and will give full consideration to the decision internally, before deciding on any response to UEFA or making any further public comment."

It had been suggested that Rooney's ban could be increased on appeal, but Article 62.3 of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations 2011 states: "If the accused is the only party to have lodged an appeal or if the disciplinary inspector appeals in favour of the accused, the punishment cannot be increased."

With no more competitive games for England before next summer's finals in Ukraine and Poland, Rooney will not be available until the quarter-finals, should England get that far.

Russia's Andrei Arshavin was sent off against Andorra in their last qualifier for Euro 2008, in a very similar incident to Rooney's as he lashed out at an opponent. Arshavin was suspended for two matches but still left a lasting imprint on the tournament when available for selection in the last group game.

England boss Fabio Capello has stated that Rooney will not start any of England's friendlies in the run-up to Euro 2012 as he tries to find a system that works without the Manchester United man. But if the three-match ban stands after any appeal, he may have to consider his place in the squad.

Referee Wolfgang Stark, who sent Rooney off, had words of support at the weekend, believing that Rooney's reaction to the dismissal and calm exit from the pitch may help his cause and limit his ban to a single match.

The draw for the finals is on December 2 at 5pm GMT.

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