NEWCASTLE striker Craig Bellamy was last night on Red alert after winning an appeal against his sending-off for violent conduct at Arsenal last week.

The fiery Welsh international was set to serve a three-match ban following his clash with Ashley Cole 11 days ago in the dramatic game, which Newcastle won 3-1.

But an FA disciplinary commission, having studied a video of the incident, heard evidence and considered a written submission from Newcastle, overturned referee Graham Poll's decision at yesterday's hearing in London, which was attended by Bellamy and manager Bobby Robson.

Bellamy is now available for the crunch game against Premiership champions Manchester United at Old Trafford next Wednesday, as well as the home encounter with Leeds a fortnight today and the FA Cup third-round visit of Crystal Palace in a week's time.

Robson said: "We appreciate the consideration given by the commission. The player received a fair hearing and both the club and the player are pleased with the decision taken by the commission.''

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington confirmed: "An FA disciplinary commission considered the red card again, and have taken the view that the suspension will not be imposed, so Craig Bellamy has been successful in his appeal.''

After years of misery in the capital, this can be seen as table-topping Newcastle's third victory in London in a month.

Not only did they break their 29-match London hoodoo with that win at Highbury, but Bellamy has won his case just a couple of weeks after skipper Alan Shearer had a red card rescinded.

Shearer was dismissed at Charlton on December 1 for allegedly using his elbow on Jon Fortune, but referee Andy D'Urso reversed his decision after watching a replay.

As for Bellamy, the FA are understood to have been impressed by Newcastle's handling of the case, with club chairman Freddy Shepherd also making the journey to London.

Although the red card will technically remain on Bellamy's record, it will not count against him in disciplinary terms after he argued that the connection with Cole's face was accidental.

England left-back Cole has already defended his own reputation by insisting he did not cheat and exaggerate the force of the blow.

The 21-year-old maintained last week: ''I would never do that to get a fellow professional sent off. I am not saying that Craig did anything deliberately, but it certainly hurt when he connected with my face.

''I don't condone diving in any way, shape or form. That is cheating and I am not a cheat. There was contact, even though it may have been accidental.''

Arsenal can still expect fall-out from the fixture, with the FA having asked for their observations on striker Thierry Henry's outburst at the officials after the final whistle.

Henry's wild reaction followed a number of hotly-contested decisions, including red cards for Ray Parlour and Bellamy as well as a dubious late penalty awarded to Newcastle, and the Frenchman could yet be charged with misconduct.

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