Kenny Cunningham points the way for Birmingham City
Cunningham's Premiership reprieve
Friday, 25 July 2003.
Following Kenny Cunningham's dismissal whilst playing for Birmingham City in the Premier League's Asia Cup, TheFA.com can confirm that he will not be suspended from any of Birmingham's first team fixtures.
"Under The FA's Disciplinary Regulations, a player sent off in a pre-season friendly game will receive only a one match suspension from non-first team competitive matches," an FA spokesman told us on Friday morning.
"However, if the sending off was for violent conduct or for serious foul play, then a ban from first team matches would be imposed."
Cunningham was shown the red card for 'denying a clear goalscoring opportunity' by referee Rob Styles for his 35th minute foul on Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy during the opening match of the tournament in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia.