Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against the additional one-match suspension he incurred for a "frivolous" challenge to a violent conduct charge brought against him by the FA.
The case was due to be heard on Friday and last week Sir Alex Ferguson indicated a desire to contest the penalty, which turned a three-match ban into a four-game suspension for Ferdinand's attack on Hull striker Craig Fagan at Old Trafford last month.
It means Ferdinand, who will serve the third match of his suspension tomorrow evening, when United visit Aston Villa, will also sit out the trip to Everton on February 20.
Ferguson is unhappy at the inconsistencies within the FA system, having noted that Javier Mascherano was not even charged following what the United manager felt was an offence of similar gravity during Liverpool's Carling Cup win at Leeds in September.
The Red Devils also felt provocation on Ferdinand was not taken into account when the FA reached their verdict.
However, the club may still view the action as being worthwhile as it allowed Ferdinand to play in the Carling Cup semi-final against Manchester City last month that ended with United booking a cup final appearance at Wembley and generating added momentum to their season as a whole.
It also suggests Ferdinand is acutely aware of the spotlight he will now be under as England captain and a need to take a measured approach to his dealings with the FA.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 20 and replies | View All
Redraw, Belfast (09/02/2010 at 14:05)
Thats a joke, United had the chance to embarrass the FA but bottled it. I wonder what would have happened if it had have been Shearer, oh yeah he dictated to the FA.
jordy, Middleton (09/02/2010 at 14:18)
edinburgh red, edinburgh (09/02/2010 at 14:51)
Barry Lee, USA (09/02/2010 at 15:06)
Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (09/02/2010 at 16:24)
the players involved won't, be "high profile," like Rio! I am amazed video evidence was allowed like this when cheating Terry Henry gets away with his handball. One rule for some, another for United and their players. Up the Reds!
Alfie Noakes (09/02/2010 at 18:16)
Mancinitaly, Calabria (09/02/2010 at 18:53)
DUB RED, CLONDALKIN (09/02/2010 at 19:20)
bobbydazzler (09/02/2010 at 19:24)
The Henry incident is not comparable in my book, true it was cheating at it's worst and should have been dealt with at the highest level, but you don't really think Fifa or Uefa were going to punish France do you?
The incident in question was a domestic one and needs to be adressed by our own FA. Rio was banned and deservedley so he was totally stupid. That said his misdemenaour was no worse than the Mascherano incident , this is where this post match sytem is totally flawed. United get come down on like a ton of bricks, whilst players from other clubs are treated far more leniently.
I saw Duncan Edwards play, Walton Le Dale (09/02/2010 at 19:56)
Alfie Noakes (09/02/2010 at 21:59)
Mike Summerbee's socks (09/02/2010 at 22:53)
edinburgh red, edinburgh
9/02/2010 at 14:51
Yeah. How about playing a game without lamping an opponent?
Joe Whittaker (09/02/2010 at 23:49)
this clown should have done one years ago and took his dj deck and coke with him!!
Never in a million years will this prat ever be United.
Unirted =Is Life
RedHeart (10/02/2010 at 01:11)
Rio is at fault. Yes we do seem to get treatment that greatly differs from others but at the end of the day, our players know that and must learn to work harder to control their outbursts.
Red-Brit-in-It (10/02/2010 at 08:42)
Dublinred, Dublin (10/02/2010 at 10:23)
Monkey tennis?, yes please (10/02/2010 at 12:42)
mark jones (10/02/2010 at 12:48)
John Gidman (10/02/2010 at 13:12)
green&gold, newton heath (10/02/2010 at 19:17)