Rooney slams Football Association

London: Wayne Rooney has warned the Football Association that his two-match suspension for using offensive language will do nothing to eradicate swearing from the game after claiming that his failure to overturn the ban "doesn't seem right".

Rooney and United manager Sir Alex Ferguson are said to be furious at the outcome of the player's appeal, which was heard by a three-man panel on Wednesday before the verdict was announced on Thursday.

The player's anger at the unsuccessful outcome of his appeal is shared by United, who are understood to be bemused by the independent FA regulatory panel consisting of two figures from within the FA — a member of the National Game Board and an FA councillor.

As a result of his suspension, Rooney will miss today's Premier League fixture against Fulham and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley after the foul-mouthed rant into a television camera at Upton Park.

Gutted

The England forward responded to the appeal verdict by admitting his shock at the severity.

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

"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."

United submitted their appeal on the grounds that sustained verbal abuse from the West Ham supporters had triggered the outburst.

The 25 year-old's swiftly issued apology was also put forward as mitigation, but the FA panel, which also consisted of a former player/manager in the role of "football expert", rejected the submission, judging that the appeal was "not justified on the grounds of abuse and the player's apology".

There is frustration within Old Trafford at the nature of the disciplinary panels, with one source close to the club claiming that there is astonishment among senior figures that officials with FA connections are able to sit on independent panels.

In contrast, the FA believes that all eligible panellists have many years of experience within the game, regardless of their position in the professional or amateur arms.

Teammates' support

Rooney has retained the support of his teammates.

Ryan Giggs said: "A two-match ban? Yes, I am surprised about that. It has just never been done before [a player being charged]. There was no precedent for it and that's why we were bamboozled by it."

Nani also voiced his support of Rooney. He said: "It was nothing. When we score goals, the celebration is for us, not for fans or other people."

Rooney will not be available until the league game against Newcastle at St James' Park on April 19.

Old Trafford sources bemused by a disciplinary system they regard as out of touch and not independent