IFA hesitant over Healy sending off appeal

The IFA has voiced caution about appealing David Healy's sending off against Wales on Wednesday.

IFA President Jim Boyce said that if Fifa agreed with referee Domenica Messina's post-match report then a bad situation could become worse.

Healy was sent off after receiving two yellow cards for over exuberant celebrations after scoring Northern Ireland's second goal during Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier in Cardiff.

''First of all I had a long talk with the referee's observer after the game, and told me the referee put in his report that it was a very serious offence and a grossly obscene gesture," said Boyce, a member of Fifa's Disciplinary Committee.

"But I have no doubt that David Healy is not that type of person, and he didn't intend to cause offence to anyone.

''But I think the IFA need to be very careful here. First of all they will need to study the referee's and observer's reports, and then decide what to do."

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has hit out at Robbie Savage after the Wales midfielder claimed Michael Hughes had tried to break his leg during Wednesday's fiery encounter at the Millennium Stadium.

Speaking to BBC Sport Sanchez said he was surprised it was Savage's first ever sending off.

''It's not the first time that Robbie has been involved and another player has been sent off, Sanchez said.

''I feel that Robbie inflames situations and inflames players."

(MB/GMCG)