Ferdinand was shown on
camera striking Fagan with
his arm during United's 4-0
victory over Hull on
Saturday. He was not
punished at the time but has
now been handed a three-
game suspension for the
action. And, having denied
the charge, The FA has
extended the ban by an
additional game.
An FA statement read: "At an
Independent Regulatory
Commission today,
Manchester United defender
Rio Ferdinand was given a
four-match suspension to be
served with immediate effect.
"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. "
Sir Alex Ferguson had
earlier vowed to fight the
charge. He said: "If it's a fair
hearing then he (Ferdinand)
has a good chance. He was
wrestled and punched, all
sorts of things happened to
him, and he was just trying
to wrestle free from it.
"Unfortunately for us, he's
caught him [Fagan] on the
back of the head. But we will
contest it."
February 21, 2010, 06:04:34 AM