Wayne Rooney could yet face a three-match ban for the clash with Wigan’s James McCarthy in yesterday’s 4-0 win.
The much-publicised incident saw Wigan awarded a free-kick for the collision between Rooney and McCarthy, with referee Mark Clattenburg claiming that the “challenge” was nothing more than “a coming together”.
Given that Clattenburg acknowledged the incident by awarding the free-kick, Rooney could escape without further FA sanctions, despite replays showing that the United striker led with his elbow. The same replays appeared to show that Clattenburg was watching the ball at the point Rooney and McCarthy collided; should Clattenburg claim that he saw the clash but missed the use of the elbow, the FA would be free to take matters further.
Today’s articles even claim that, if Clattenburg’s report allows the FA to investigate the incident, a three-match ban could be pushed through quickly under the new fast-track process; that would prevent Rooney from facing Chelsea in the league on Tuesday night.
Given that FA regulations state that charges and appeals are required to take place “within three working days” – this would seem somewhat unlikely.
We will hear plenty more on Rooney and “Elbowgate” from the media over the next 24-hours. Clattenburg’s report and a likely statement from the FA will be the crucial developments however.
