Rio's four-feit: United ace Ferdinand hit by extended ban for appeal on elbow

Battle: Ferdinand (left) and Fagan at Old TraffordRio Ferdinand has been hit with a four-game ban following his clash with Hull City striker Craig Fagan at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Manchester United defender was handed a three-game suspension for violent conduct at an independent regulatory commission hearing at Wembley on Wednesday, and an extra game was added because Ferdinand's challenge to the FA charge was deemed to be frivolous. It means he will miss Sunday's trip to Arsenal and United's other Premier League games against Portsmouth,  Aston Villa and Everton. It is a blow for manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who only welcomed Ferdinand back from a three-month injury absence against Hull. Videoevidence picked out the England defender catching Fagan across the sideof the head with a swinging arm as they tussled on the edge of theUnited penalty box. By contesting the charge, Ferdinand wasable to play in Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final againstManchester City at Old Trafford. United submitted a filesupporting Ferdinand's case before last night's 6pm deadline, but thefour-man panel still decided he was guilty and imposed the additionalone-match ban because they felt there had been an 'abuse of process' .Ferdinand will be available to face Aston Villa in the Carling Cup final on February 28. Enlarge On camera: Television pictures caught Ferdinand's elbow on Fagan  Charged Ferdinand was 'wrestled and punched', says Fergie ahead of appealMadchester II: Rooney's Manchester United's hero - but Bellamy hit by coin Rio Ferdinand cleared to face City as Manchester United star appeals violent conduct chargeMan United 3 Man City 1 (United win 4-3 on agg): Rooney finds killer blowMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail