The FA have confirmed that Wayne Rooney has accepted the charge of “use of offensive, abusive language” dished out yesterday, but stated that the striker has appealed against the two-match ban.
“Rooney has submitted a claim that the automatic penalty of two games is clearly excessive.”
As widely reported, Rooney is set to miss the weekend clash with Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final with City a week later as a result of the charge.
In this afternoon’s press conference, Alex Ferguson suggested that some form of appeal had been lodged with the FA…
“We’ve submitted our case”
Ferguson was refusing to say more on the situation, stating instead that Rooney had missed training earlier in the day in preparation for tomorrow night’s Champions League tie with Chelsea, due to a bruised shin.
Rooney’s appeal is now confirmed and, according to the FA, his case will be heard as early as tomorrow.
Fantasy Managers can now only wait for the outcome. It seems unlikely that Rooney’s suspension will be removed, with a reduction to a one-match ban perhaps the best that Rooney can hope for. That would allow him to face City in the Cup, but still keep him out of gameweek 31’s league encounter with Fulham.
