I REALLY don’t see why European football’s disciplinary chiefs need to call a special meeting to sentence Wayne Rooney for his sending off in England’s Euro qualifier in Montenegro.

I would have thought there would be a set tariff of suspensions at international level, just as there is at domestic level, and that violent conduct, which is what Rooney was clearly guilty of when he saw red for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic, would carry an automatic suspension, be it one, two or three matches.

Evidently not, hence tomorrow’s meeting at which, presumably, UEFA chiefs will examine the referee’s report, look at the incident, check out Rooney’s rap sheet and rub their hands with glee at the prospect of denying England the services of their top striker for as many games as possible at next summer’s finals in Poland and Ukraine.

Pardon my scepticism but I have no faith in UEFA – certainly not where England is concerned.

And while I would not expect any favours – Rooney deserves everything he gets for losing his head – I cannot for the life of me see why any player from any country should be at the mercy of a disciplinary commission in such a cut and dried case. Actually, if referee Wolfgang Stark has any influence in the severity of the sentence, Rooney could be dealt with more leniently than he deserves since the German official reckoned he accepted his red card with a certain grace.

But don’t hold your breath.

There are certain individuals at UEFA who would relish a chance to put the boot into England.

As for the brew-ha-ha over Rooney’s red-mist moment and the subsequent criticism of Fabio Capello for playing him 24 hours after news broke of his father’s arrest over an alleged betting scam, I’m starting to wonder whether the critics won’t be satisfied until the player and coach are hung, drawn and quartered for treason.

The bottom line is that Rooney is the best striker England have got, arguably the best player.

And, regardless of his character flaws, must be in the first 11 for tournament matches whenever he is available.

And if that availability is curtailed by the odd flash of temper, then so be it.

He is not the first worldclass player to have a suspect temperament and he won’t be the last.

Capello must take him to the European Championships, even if UEFA decide to ban him for the entire group stages.