Rooney's appeal date changed

Nyon, Switzerland – England striker Wayne Rooney's appeal for game suspension that could see him miss Euro 2012 will be decided Dec. 8, one day earlier than previously announced, UEFA said Thursday.

The hearing was moved up one day at the request of the English FA, because the player will be in Switzerland on Dec. 7 with Manchester United for a Champions League match against Basel.

Rooney was suspended three matches in early October for a red card in the last match in qualifying against Montenegro, ruling him out of the group round next summer in Poland and Ukraine.

England appealed the decision earlier this month, and UEFA has decided to hear the appeal in early December, a few days after the draw for the Euro finals.

Rooney received the card for kicking Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic in the side of the leg after losing possession in a 2-2 tie. England finished atop Group G but could be without its top striker next summer if the suspension is upheld.