Keane appeals for more consistency

The Leeds United striker Robbie Keane believes he has become a marked man in the eyes of the officials, but is adamant he is no cheat.

Keane flew to Switzerland with the rest of the Leeds squad ahead of tonight's Uefa Cup third-round first leg against Grasshopper Zurich still shaking his head in disbelief after being booked during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Sunderland. Keane was cautioned for diving when it appeared to most observers that he had been tripped in the penalty area – a decision which left his manager, David O'Leary, furious.

Keane, who was also booked for a similar incident at Charlton earlier in the season, yesterday urged referees to improve their consistency. "I seem to have become a marked man with referees and I don't know why to be honest," he said.

"The one against Charlton there was obvious contact, and then the one on Sunday against Sunderland, I was done again. As players we realise referees have a hard job, and I wouldn't like to be in their shoes. But sometimes they should look at these situations and show a little bit more consistency. That is all we can ask and hope for."

Keane is confident that the defeat to Sunderland, which was only Leeds' second in 28 League matches and their first in the Premiership this season, is out of their system and their focus is firmly on the 25-times Swiss champions.

O'Leary's side, though, have a dismal away record in Europe as they have lost their last five matches on the continent – at Real Madrid, Deportivo La Coruña and Valencia in the Champions' League last season, and at Maritimo and Troyes in this season's Uefa Cup.

With Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka away on World Cup duty with Australia, Lee Bowyer on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and Seth Johnson ineligible, the omens are not good.