TWO WEEKS

Last updated : 06 January 2004 By editor

In line with Football Association regulations, United requested written confirmation of the precise reasons behind his punishment.

United confirmed in a brief statement yesterday that they have received the confirmation.

It read: "Manchester United can confirm that Rio Ferdinand's lawyers have today received the written reasons for the FA's decision at the hearing of 19 December 2002. The player now has 14 days to decide whether to appeal, and until that decision has been taken no further comment will be made."