Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United’s FA Cup showdown with Manchester City after losing his appeal against a two-match ban.
Rooney had accepted a Football Association charge of “using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language” after completing his hat-trick during the 4-2 victory at West Ham this past weekend, but the England striker claimed a two-match ban was excessive.
However, his appeal has been rejected by the FA and he will now miss this weekend’s Premier League match against Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final meeting with City on April 6.
A statement released by the FA read: “A Regulatory Commission has suspended Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for two matches.
“Rooney had admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language, but claimed that the automatic penalty of two games was clearly excessive.
“The Commission did not accept the claim and Rooney will begin the standard two-match suspension with immediate effect.”
The decision has left Rooney “gutted” and he maintains the decision is an injustice.
A statement released by the striker read: “I am gutted to miss two matches, one of which is an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
“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. That is what I intend to do.”