Rooney two-match ban upheld

The Football Association opted not to release the outcome of Wednesday's disciplinary hearing immediately following a request by Manchester United, who did not wish to suffer any disruption to their preparation for their Champions League encounter with Chelsea.

Rooney scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge but has now learned he will miss Saturday's Premier League encounter with Fulham at Old Trafford, then the Wembley meeting with City on April 16, with the FA merely confirming their original punishment.

"A Regulatory Commission has suspended Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for two matches," read a statement issued by the FA on Thursday morning.

"Rooney had admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language, but claimed that the automatic penalty of two games was clearly excessive.

"The Commission did not accept the claim and Rooney will begin the standard two-match suspension with immediate effect.

"The charge relates to an incident during his side's fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 2 April 2011."

At least Rooney will be eligible to play in the return leg against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

However, his absence is a blow to Ferguson, particularly for the City encounter given the 25-year-old's remarkable winner against them in February.

The FA will view it as a watershed moment for their hopes of improving player behaviour, whilst it is another blow to Rooney's image, even if sources close to the player have been anxious to distance confirmation of a sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola not being renewed last year with lurid allegations about his private life.

Source: PA

Source: PA