West Ham boss Alan Pardew has revealed both he and Liverpool's Rafa Benitez are in agreement that they will appeal the red cards of Hayden Mullins and Luis Garcia after last night's clash.
Liverpool won 2-1 at Upton Park, but the match was marred by Garcia and Mullins being sent-off for fighting - with the automatic suspension meaning they'll miss the FA Cup final.
West Ham will lodge an appeal today, with both bosses appealing to the FA to rip up the rulebook and show mercy.
Pardew said: "Myself, Rafa, Luis and Hayden all watched the incident again on TV and went to see the ref. Under the letter of the law, it was a sending-off.
"But we are hoping the FA will show some clemency and change the suspensions.
"It is a real shame for both players, as they could miss such a special day.
"Perhaps they could get a two-match ban, with one match hanging over until next season. Or maybe they could have got two yellows.
"The referee said he thought about a yellow card. But under the guidelines that he is given, he would be punished if he didn't give two reds.
"Both the players are honest guys. There was no animosity between us. We all went in and had a civil conversation.
"Hayden challenged for the ball, it went loose, an elbow was thrown and Hayden threw an arm out.
"It was a little moment in what was an otherwise terrific match played in a great spirit. I sensed something was going to happen and tried to call to the referee and ask him to be sensible.
"We will speak with the FA in the morning and I hope something can be sorted for the good of the game."
Djibril Cisse's two goals fired Liverpool to a win that will give them a key psychological boost before the meeting at the Millennium Stadium.
But Benitez was also upset about the double red card.
The Kop boss declared: "It is not easy for the referee but it was not a serious incident and, hopefully, a sensible decision will be made.
"In Spain there is always the possibility of splitting the suspensions and we hope that is going to be the case here.
"I can't criticise the ref. He saw something.
"I was pleased with our performance and I think it now promises to be a great final between us."
Liverpool won 2-1 at Upton Park, but the match was marred by Garcia and Mullins being sent-off for fighting - with the automatic suspension meaning they'll miss the FA Cup final.
West Ham will lodge an appeal today, with both bosses appealing to the FA to rip up the rulebook and show mercy.
Pardew said: "Myself, Rafa, Luis and Hayden all watched the incident again on TV and went to see the ref. Under the letter of the law, it was a sending-off.
"But we are hoping the FA will show some clemency and change the suspensions.
"It is a real shame for both players, as they could miss such a special day.
"Perhaps they could get a two-match ban, with one match hanging over until next season. Or maybe they could have got two yellows.
"The referee said he thought about a yellow card. But under the guidelines that he is given, he would be punished if he didn't give two reds.
"Both the players are honest guys. There was no animosity between us. We all went in and had a civil conversation.
"Hayden challenged for the ball, it went loose, an elbow was thrown and Hayden threw an arm out.
"It was a little moment in what was an otherwise terrific match played in a great spirit. I sensed something was going to happen and tried to call to the referee and ask him to be sensible.
"We will speak with the FA in the morning and I hope something can be sorted for the good of the game."
Djibril Cisse's two goals fired Liverpool to a win that will give them a key psychological boost before the meeting at the Millennium Stadium.
But Benitez was also upset about the double red card.
The Kop boss declared: "It is not easy for the referee but it was not a serious incident and, hopefully, a sensible decision will be made.
"In Spain there is always the possibility of splitting the suspensions and we hope that is going to be the case here.
"I can't criticise the ref. He saw something.
"I was pleased with our performance and I think it now promises to be a great final between us."
