Terry free to face United after appeal

Referee Mike Halsey (R) sends off Chelsea captain John Terry (far left) during the match against Manchester City.

Chelsea captain John Terry is free to face Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday after winning an appeal against the red card he picked up at Manchester City.


Terry was dismissed at Eastlands on Saturday after bringing down City striker Jo as the Brazilian threatened in the 77th minute.


Referee Mark Halsey deemed it a professional foul and showed Terry the red card, but Chelsea protested, and yesterday submitted a claim for wrongful dismissal.


Jo still had a long way to go to goal when the foul came in from Terry, whose fellow defender Ricardo Carvalho was in close attendance.


An independent regulatory commission heard the appeal today and the Football Association revealed they upheld Chelsea's claim, meaning England captain Terry must no longer serve a three-match ban.