Date: 7th April 2011 at 10:39am
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Wayne Rooney has been banned for 2 matches by the FA for swearing during Manchester United’s game against West Ham on Saturday.

The striker accepted the FA ‘s charge of “use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language” but appealed the 2 match ban that came with it, deeming it excessive but the FA have upheld the ban meaning he will miss this Saturday’s game against Fulham as well as the FA Cup semi final tie with Man City.

Rooney, who has been finding his form and scored last night’s winner against Chelsea in the Champions League, released a statement saying:

“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’s what I intend to do.”

The FA’s decision to ban Rooney now sets a dangerous precedent that will mean any player that uses profane language will have to be punished as Rooney was and in a game as passionate as football, it seems the FA will have a hard task policing the situation.

 

11 responses to “Rooney: “I’m not the first player to swear on TV and I won’t be the last””

  1. Mancunian Red says:

    It’s corrupt, Bernstein is the new boss and wants to make himself look strong – no better way to attack the biggest and most hated club.

    I would take legal action if I was United or Rooney. They do this all the time. The United players who got banned but Liverpool players got away with it in friendly games in Holland 2006 season I think.

    The Rio drugs ban, 8 months a City player did the same weeks before and wasn’t even named.

    Swearing hurts no one it is an idiotic decision. The worst I’ve come across in 40 odd years of watching football.

  2. Franco says:

    If it was me I would have issued a statement retiring from International Football. The FA don’t deserve any better then that.

  3. Aida says:

    okey it aint all that good that we now are without rooney for 2 matches, but we have managed without him for a large part of the season and we will manage without him now.

    Now berbatov can get some matches again, im glad for the guy as I dont understand what he has ever done 2 be on the bench right now 🙂 this is a good thing

  4. Impartial_Alf says:

    I don’t support United. I also don’t support City, or any of United’s rivals, but your supporters acting like there’s any sort of media or FA witch hunt against your club is the siliest thing i’ve ever heard.

    United players get away with more than most. It’s refreshing people are starting to stand up to a club who have pushed the limits of decency for years.

    This is the same player who elbowed an opposition player in the head and wasn’t punished, remember.

    Karma, as they say, is a bitch.

    • Chudi says:

      You don’t sound too impartial Alf, were you the same voice of moral outrage when we were mugged against Chelsea in our last 3 games against them?

      How about when Welbeck wasn’t given that penalty in the FA Cup semi against Chelsea?

      What about when Carragher tried to snap Nani’s leg?

      Just be sure to drop in and leave a comment when others are done for swearing…

  5. jezz09 says:

    Come on wayne, turn your back on england now, you should know where your loyalties lie

  6. megmanu says:

    like the viewer care heard what rooney said.it happen just split second. what people concern more on the goal and the game. is FA also did like MANU?~

  7. Impartial_Alf says:

    Chuddi, my old pal.

    I’m just a bit confused that within six months of wiping his willy in the faces of every Manchester United fan, old Wazza is the Stretford End darling again.

    Football fans knowing the worth of everything and the value of nothing again.

    If i was a paying MUFC supporter, i’d still want him out of the door. The man constantly shows a complete lack of class. He’s not the only one, of course, but that’s no excuse.

    • Chudi says:

      Alf my not so impartial pal, on this site we have the function to go back and read blogs from months before.
      As the editor of this site I took the stance of not criticising him as I knew there was more to the story.

      He admits he was poorly advised and has apologised. Henry effectively told Arsenal to f off by jumping ship for Barca for trophies, still loved there.

      Gerrard handed in a transfer request at Liverpool before changing his mind.

      Do you question those clubs and their love for those players?

      As United fans we tend to get behind our own unlike other ‘big’ clubs that boo their own players

  8. Kev says:

    What the FA needs is a good reform of the rules.

    Im sorry, but any sport where an offense is:

    1) Invented
    2) Sentenced
    3) Forgotten again

    in the same week by the same people, over and over again is ludicrous.

    Look at other sports. If its not in the rules its not against the rules. If its not written that a deliberate card to avoid a ban is against the rules you cant make up a punishment to suit it, same for swearing on TV.

    Make the rules clear, and if someone does something you dont like, build it into the rules for the next season, SIMPLE!!

    YOU CAN NOT CONTINUE TO “TREAT EACH INCIDENT ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS” and expect to keep clarity, fair play, and RESPECT!!!

    If criminal law was sentanced in such way, and I could be prosecuted for something that yesterday wasnt illegal it would be a shamble.

    SORT IT OUT!!!