Referee Wolfgang Stark (L) sends off England's Wayne Rooney (R) during their Euro 2012 Group G qualifying football match against Montenegro in Podgorica Friday. — Reuters LONDON – England striker Wayne Rooney's calm reaction to his red card against Montenegro could help him avoid an extended ban, according to the referee who sent him off in the Euro 2012 qualifier. German official Wolfgang Stark dismissed Rooney for a crazy kick at Miodrag Dzudovic in the second half of England's 2-2 draw Friday and the Manchester United star is certain to miss the first game of next year's Euro 2012 finals as a result. It had been suggested that Rooney's suspension could be increased to two matches given the mindless nature of the offense. That would depend on how UEFA views the incident which occurred just 17 minutes from time as England booked its place in Poland and Ukraine. But Stark has praised Rooney, who was also sent off in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal against Portugal, for how he accepted the decision and that may improve the former Everton player's chances of being hit with a heavier penalty. “He accepted it without dissent. Maybe it will help Rooney the way he acted by accepting my decision,” Stark said in the Mail Sunday. “It was a straight red card. I had no hesitation. You saw what happened and Rooney knew by his reaction. He just walked off. I have no more input into the process. I will submit my report and it is up to UEFA what they will do.” England coach Fabio Capello revealed that Rooney apologized immediately after the match and the Italian conceded it was impossible to control his striker's actions while he is on the pitch. “I can't enter into the head of Wayne Rooney when he plays. I can speak before. I can substitute him. I can find different solutions. But you cannot understand during the game why things happen,” Capello said. England captain John Terry is adamant Rooney's moment of madness shouldn't detract from the key role he played in helping his country to the finals. “I think it's important to realize that without Wayne we wouldn't be in this position,” Terry said. “He has been absolutely magnificent for England and I hope people don't criticise him too much. The important thing is we got the right result and we're through.”
