The Bluebirds centre-back was shown a straight red card in last weekend's 3-3 draw at Burnley for a challenge on Andy Cole that left the former Pompey striker needing 10 stitches in a leg wound.

But on Tuesday, a Football Association of Wales panel overturned the decision, meaning Purse is free to skipper his side in the FA Cup final when they face Pompey.

Although Redknapp insists he has no problem with Purse playing in the match, he took issue with the fact that it is the Welsh FA who have made the decision to overturn the dismissal.

And Redknapp questioned whether his players would receive the same treatment from the English FA if any of them were red-carded in tomorrow's trip to Middlesbrough and were subsequently banned for the Wembley showpiece on May 17.

Redknapp said: 'If we get a red card this weekend, obviously I'm sure the English FA will want to help us and overturn that.

'You don't think I'm being serious, do you?

'We wouldn't get any help at all, would we?

'We'd get a player banned and that would be it – there's nothing you can do about it.

'I don't want to see the boy (Purse) miss the FA Cup final, but I read that Andy Cole said it was the worst tackle he'd ever received.

'Cardiff play in the English league, play in the English cup, want to qualify to represent England in the UEFA Cup and then, when they get a player sent off, it goes before the Welsh FA.

'How can that be right? It's just unreal really.

'I like Darren Purse and I don't want to see him suspended for the Cup final.

'I wouldn't want to see anyone miss the Cup final, but in all honesty, it's a bit farcical.'

As a Welsh club, Cardiff's disciplinary issues are governed by the Welsh FA – even though they play in English competitions.

But Redknapp believes those rules need to be addressed.

He said: 'I'm not making a big fuss about it – it makes no difference to me if he plays or not.

'You just want the same rules for everybody.

'I'm sure anyone who has got any sense will look at it and go "This is strange isn't it?".'

Cardiff have already been awarded special dispensation to represent England in the UEFA Cup should they beat Pompey at Wembley.

But Redknapp insists he has no problem with that decision.

He said: 'I'm 100 per cent behind them playing in the UEFA Cup if they win. They are playing in an English competition so it's right that they should qualify if they win.'