• Premier League

Ferdinand ban increased

ESPN staff
January 28, 2010
Rio Ferdinand is facing a spell on the sidelines after failing with his appeal © Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand has been hit with a four-match ban after his appeal against a violent conduct charge was dismissed.

The Manchester United defender was hit with a violent conduct charge for his clash with Hull's Craig Fagan, but club and player took the decision to appeal. It was widely suggested that the appeal was made to enable Ferdinand to face Manchester City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, despite Sir Alex Ferguson's statement to the contrary.

The Football Association heard the appeal on Thursday and deemed it to be frivolous, leading to an increase in his suspension from three to four games.

The Soccernet podcast team discuss Rio and more

"At an Independent Regulatory Commission today Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was given a four match suspension to be served with immediate effect," read an FA statement. "Ferdinand denied a charge of violent conduct in relation to an incident in Manchester United's home match with Hull City on Saturday 23 January 2010.

"Furthermore, the Independent Commission felt that the player's denial of the charge was frivolous and on that basis have awarded an additional one match ban upon the statutory three match ban awarded for violent conduct."

Ferdinand will now miss league games against Arsenal, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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