Wayne Rooney To Accept FA Charge Of Abusive Language But Contest Ban

Wayne Rooney has accepted the Football Association’s charge of using abusive language after swearing down a television camera as part of a goal celebration during Manchester United’s win against West Ham - and he didn’t really have much choice - but is contesting the length of the two-match suspension. United are desperate to avoid their striker being missing for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, and a reduction in the ban to just one game would see him available for the trip to Wembley.

According to a statement issued by Rooney’s representatives, the case will be heard on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Champions League match between Chelsea and Manchester United. If the fails, Rooney will be ruled out of both the Fulham home game and the match against Manchester City, and it’s possibly (albeit unlikely) that the FA finds the appeal frivolous and extends the penalty beyond the original two matches.