Stoke freezeframe an appeal for Huth red card

Stoke have appealed against the red card Robert Huth received in their 1-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium.

The German central defender was given a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson after a tackle on David Meyler on the brink of half time.

The decision left Tony Pulis visually fuming on the touchline and after the match in his post-match interview.

Pulis was so convinced Huth shouldn’t have been sent off, he sent a freezeframe of the incident into the BBC highlights show; Match of the Day.

Pulis told the club`s official site: “We have studied all the evidence again and are convinced there was no intent.

“Robert was actually trying pull out of the challenge.”

Stoke will present both video and photographic evidence to the Football Association to try and acquit Huth, who faces an automatic three match ban.

The Newport manager was also infuriated at what he saw as “play acting” by Sunderland`s central midfielder.

P ulis told the BBC website: “I think it`s a disease that`s coming into the game where players roll around and they`re looking to see if they can get people booked or sent off.”

Fellow central defender Jonathan Woodgate feels sympathy for the 26 year old.

Woodgate told the official website: “I never thought it was a sending off in a million years. He was in full control of his body; there was no malice whatsoever, and in fact, I actually think he pulled his feet away from the ball to make sure he doesn`t touch the lad.’

Huth was sent off when the scores were level at 0-0, but a second half strike from James McClean gave Sunderland at 1-0 win at a snowy Britannia Stadium.