• Premier League

Rooney 'gutted' to lose appeal

ESPN staff
April 7, 2011
Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's next two matches © PA Photos
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Wayne Rooney claims his suspension "doesn't seem right" but has vowed to move on after failing in his appeal against a two-match ban.

Rooney accepted an FA charge for using offensive, insulting and / or abusive language during United's 4-2 win over West Ham on Saturday, and will miss two matches after his suspension was upheld following an appeal.

Rooney admits he is "gutted" to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, and believes he has been made an example of.

The Manchester United striker had apologised after his on-air outburst, but it was not enough to see him avoid punishment.

"I am gutted to miss two matches, one of which is an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley," Rooney said in a statement. "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."

Manchester United also expressed their disappointment at the regulatory commission's decision to uphold the ban.

"The club put forward a very strong case to have the punishment reduced, which was unsuccessful," said a statement on the club's website.

"Wayne Rooney apologised immediately after the match and the club now wishes to move to on to what hopefully will be a very exciting conclusion to the season."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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