More red-card challenges likely after victory for Cole and Gibson

Pair were sent off in Everton's 2-1 win over West Ham

Carlton Cole is shown a red card (GETTY IMAGES)

Carlton Cole and Darron Gibson today became the latest beneficiaries of the rewritten rule on rescinding red cards, which came into force over the summer, when they had their dismissals from Saturday cancelled.

The two players both had red cards, dealt to them by referee Anthony Taylor, rescinded from the game at Upton Park between West Ham and Everton. Rescinded red cards are likely to become an increasing feature of the game after the Football Association applied to Fifa to have the rule changed.

Before, red cards were only cancelled if it could be proved that there was a "serious and obvious error". Fifa permitted the FA to change the grounds for rescinding a red card to just an "obvious error", on the basis that the three-man commission had to come to the decision unanimously for the claim to be upheld.

Clubs are increasingly likely to challenge cards following the decision on Gibson and Cole (above). Both have had their three-match suspensions cancelled. Of the six red-card appeals heard by the FA commission yesterday, five were upheld.