Manchester United Football Club

• Nickname:Red Devils
• Founded:1878
• Manager:David Moyes

• Ground:Old Trafford
• Capacity:68174

Fergie accepts Ferdinand ban

29 Jan 2010 - 11:18:58

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted Rio Ferdinand's four-match ban but still believes there should be more consistency in the way the Football Association deals with disciplinary cases.

The former West Ham and Leeds United defender appealed against the three-match suspension he had been handed earlier in the week following his clash with Hull City striker Craig Fagan on Saturday.

However, a disciplinary panel ruled on Thursday that he had no basis to challenge the violent conduct charge and handed him an additional penalty for a frivolous appeal.

The appeal did allow Ferdinand to play against Manchester City in Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg but Ferguson said: "There are conflicting ways in which these decisions are being viewed.

"I watched the game between Leyton Orient and Charlton on Monday and there was an elbow on the Charlton player three times as he was running with the ball. But nothing has happened with that.

"There is a lot of confusion there, although we accept that for tomorrow, Rio is banned."