Ferguson to fight for Rooney
2011-04-05 08:08
Cape Town - Alex Ferguson will fight the FA over Wayne Rooney's two-game ban for his foul-mouthed rant to a TV camera, reports The Sun.
Rooney is said to be devastated by the punishment for his outburst after completing a hat-trick at West Ham on Saturday.
The striker is crushed at the thought of missing the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.
Manchester United boss Fergie and his board are angry at the punishment and are going to war with football's ruling body.
They are ready to challenge the FA in a bid to have Rooney available for the Wembley clash with City a week on Saturday.
But Fergie could risk losing him for a third game if they fail.
FA chiefs have charged Rooney, 25, with the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language. United have met with their legal team to see how best to take on the FA.
The club are prepared to accept the charge but strongly challenge the severity of the punishment.
They will make their submissions and a hearing will take place to consider them, with United not represented.
United hope to get the ban reduced to one game - meaning Rooney would only miss this Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Fulham.
But this course of action does risk a further one-match ban.
The other two options are to accept the charge and the two-game suspension - or to deny it and face a hearing tomorrow.
But that could also lead to an additional one-match rap for a frivolous appeal.
United believe the punishment does not fit the crime and the FA are making an example of Rooney because of who he is.
They also feel the swift apology the England man issued after the game has not been taken into account.
Old Trafford manager Ferguson is already seething with the FA after being hit with a five-game touchline ban for blasting referee Martin Atkinson after United's defeat at Chelsea last month.
Rooney swore inches from the camera after scoring a penalty to complete his hat-trick at Upton Park as United bounced back from two goals down to lead 3-2. The Premier League leaders went on to win 4-2.
Rooney celebrated in front of the travelling United fans and then looked into the Sky TV camera and used the F-word twice.
The ban could not be more badly timed. Roo has just rediscovered his form for the run-in with United still going for glory on three fronts.
