Rooney handed three-match ban

England's UEFA EURO 2012 hopes have been dealt a huge blow after Wayne Rooney was today banned for three matches by UEFA. The decision by UEFA's control and disciplinary body comes after Rooney was sent off for England against Montenegro last week and as a result, the striker will miss all of England's EURO 2012 group matches in June. Rooney was shown a straight red card for kicking Miodrag Dzudovoic and England manager Fabio Capello said it was a "silly mistake" by the Manchester United player. The 25-year-old was always in danger of receiving a three-match ban despite the Football Association submitting a dossier of evidence pleading for leniency, including a letter from Rooney himself. A UEFA statement said: "The UEFA control and disciplinary body has today handed down a three-match suspension to England's forward Wayne Rooney following his dismissal during the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro last Friday. "Today's decision was taken in relation to the red card shown to Rooney for assault after 74 minutes of England's final Group G game, the 2-2 draw with Montenegro in Podgorica. "The striker will now be suspended from playing in his country's next three UEFA national competition matches for which he would be eligible. "An appeal may be lodged against the verdict of the UEFA control and disciplinary body within three days of the dispatch of the reasoned decision." The FA say they will look at the full reasons behind the UEFA decision before deciding whether to appeal, stating: "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."