Wayne Rooney plays victim as FA uphold two-match ban

08 April 2011 08:36
Wayne Rooney was banned but still bleating about his treatment by the FA. [LNB]The Manchester United and England striker was barely able to hide his contempt after his appeal against a two-match ban for swearing angrily into a TV camera during a live game was rejected.[LNB] Wayne's world: Rooney revels in scoring against Chelsea days after his foul rant at West Ham [LNB]What Wayne really meant... Read Matt Barlow's assessment of Rooney's statement here... [LNB]'I am gutted to miss two matches, one of which is an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley,' Rooney said in a bitter statement in which the 25-year-old portrayed himself as the innocent victim of some great miscarriage of justice.[LNB] 'I am not the first player to have sworn on TV and I won't be the last. Unlike others who have been caught swearing on camera, I apologised immediately. And yet I am the only person banned for swearing. That doesn't seem right. Whatever, I have to accept that what's happened has happened and move on from here.'[LNB] United, having appealed on grounds that the punishment did not fit the crime, also released a statement to express how 'disappointed' they were. Team-mates rallied in support, with Ryan Giggs claiming he was 'bamboozled' by the severity of the ban. [LNB]Rooney will miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League home game against Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley a week later. [LNB] Rood gesture: The United striker was banned for two matches after his foul-mouthed tirade at Upton Park [LNB]Having scored in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Chelsea on Wednesday, he is free to take take part in the return leg on Tuesday because the competition is governed by UEFA. [LNB]But those who care about the image of the game will be delighted that the FA's disciplinary department held their nerve to win the crucial opening fight in the campaign to restore respect. [LNB]Dismayed by the climate of foul language and loutish behaviour which surrounds the elite tier of English football, the FA dug in over a dispute with England's star striker and the country's biggest club, weeks after the same player escaped punishment for an elbow on Wigan's James McCarthy. [LNB]In step with Sportsmail's 'Stamp It Out'initiative, the decisive action sends a simple message to players and managers that the FA's new chairman David Bernstein is prepared to flex muscles as he prioritises the Respect campaign.[LNB] On target: Rooney finds the back of the net in the 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge [LNB] It also emphasises the absurdity of the Premier League's promise to clean up the game's image - but not until August. [LNB]Bernstein's arrival in January coincided with a cluster of negative stories concerning high-profile players and managers.[LNB] Ashley Cole was reprimanded by police for accidentally shooting a student with an air rifle at Chelsea's training ground and Mario Balotelli was alleged to have thrown a dart at youth-team players at Manchester City's training ground. [LNB]Rooney's camera rant, after completing his hat-trick at West Ham last Saturday, proved to be the defining image and the final straw. [LNB] Manchester United will assess Darren Fletcher on Friday when the Scotland midfielder returns to Carrington for the first time in a month since picking up a debilitating stomach virus.[LNB]  What Wayne Rooney REALLY said in reaction to his two-match ban...Charles Sale: Rooney's ructions brought to book Taming Rooney would be a waste of time, says ex-England boss McLarenI'd have locked Rooney up! Senior officer compares United striker to drunken yobsHaving Rio back was just grand! Vidic hails Ferdinand after return at ChelseaManchester United FC news, features and opinion  Explore more:People: Darren Fletcher, James McCarthy, Ryan Giggs, Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, Mario Balotelli Places: Scotland, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail