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