Source: Daily_Mail
Wayne Rooney charged with two game ban for TV rant
Wayne Rooney faces a two-match ban afterthe Football Association charged him with offensive, insulting and/or abusive language for his foul-mouthed tirade to a TV camera at Upton Park on Saturday.The Manchester United striker is expected to appeal the charge after the FA decided to make an example ofhis irresponsible F-word outburst that was aired live on Sky Sports after the striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 4-2 win over West Ham. If found guilty, Rooney will miss United's league game at home to Fulham on Saturday and the FA Cup semi-final againstManchester City at Wembley on April 16. Read Martin Samuel's verdict: Rooney seems a man motivated only by vengeance and spite Swear box: Wayne Rooneytook the shine off his hat-trick with a foul-mouthed rant directed at the TV camerasThe England forward issued a formal apology for his outburst, which he claimed came 'in the heat of the moment' after he completed a match-turning treble, and insisted 'was not aimed at anyone in particular'. However, an FA statement this evening read: 'The FA has charged Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language. 'This charge relates to an incident during his side's fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday April 2, 2011. 'Rooney has until 6pm on April 5 to respond to the charge.' In the corner: Rooney scores his first with a delightful free-kick Sanctioning a player for swearing into a camera is understood to be unprecedented in English football. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was handed a three-match ban - with a further two matches suspended - by UEFA for a similar offence during the 2009 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona but his tirade was deemed to have been directed at the referee. There does appear to be provision for punishment in the FA's own rules about behaviour, which state: 'A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.' Previous form: Rooney unleashes a tirade at Green Point stadium after England's dismal draw with AlgeriaThe Premier League's global appealmeans the footage has already been aired all over the world and thesight of Rooney swearing on television has tainted the image offootball in this country - a view that is not lost on the FA's topbrass. The FA are also annoyed at thetiming of Rooney's rant. Just last week the Premier League revealed anew initiative to crack down on vitriolic abuse towards referees fromnext season, while FA chairman David Bernstein threw his weight behindSportsmail's Stamp It Out campaign - aimed at eradicating disrespectfuland intimidating behaviour towards officials.It is not the first time Rooney hasfound himself in trouble for speaking into a camera. He criticisedbooing England fans after the dismal 0-0 draw against Algeria in theWorld Cup last summer and said: 'Nice to see your home fans booing you.That's loyal supporters.' Again, he later apologised for his comments. Martin Samuel: Wayne Rooney seems a man motivated only by vengeance and spitePatrick Collins: Rooney's foulmouthed tirade makes mockery of new campaignGraham Poll: FA must take the hard line with Rooney and ban him for three games. But they won't.Rooney ready for title run-in after United move step closer to 19th crownAll the latest Manchester United FC news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Martin Samuel Places: United Kingdom, Algeria Organisations: Football Association