Harry Redknapp has accused the Football Association of double standards over its successful campaign to get Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban reduced.
Rooney's ban for next summer's tournament was cut on Thursday from three matches to two after he was sent off for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic during England's final qualifier in October. The FA had appealed against the Uefa punishment at a hearing in Nyon, Switzerland.
Redknapp thinks the FA's stance is hypocritical as he is sure that had the Manchester United player lashed out in a similar manner in a domestic game, he would be suspended for at least three games.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager, the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Fabio Capello as the England manager, said: "In all honesty it was a three-match ban for violent conduct. You can look at it and say it wasn't that violent but it doesn't matter. If you cuff someone, you get a three-match ban. Those are the rules. If you appealed it [domestically], it would be a frivolous appeal and you would probably get four games if you went to the FA."
Redknapp now expects the FA to be besieged with appeals for domestic red cards. "For them to get it from three to two, it opens up a can of worms," he said. "There will be clubs appealing against bans and they will want to know why they aren't getting it cut from three to two for similar situations. People will look at it and think: 'Hang on, the FA have gone and appealed against his [Rooney's] red, why can't we?'
"From England's point of view, I'm pleased to see him get two because he's that important to England but in all honesty the rules are supposed to be the rules and they have not been adhered to in this situation."
Redknapp is the second Premier League manager to question the FA's appeal against Rooney's ban after Kenny Dalglish. "I find it a bit strange," the Liverpool manager said. "The FA are supposed to be setting an example for things yet they appeal against Wayne Rooney's three-match ban. I don't think that's a good example to set."