Rooney Contests Length Of Ban

Wayne Rooney has accepted the Football Association's charge for using offensive language during United's win at West Ham on Saturday, but has appealed against his two-match suspension.

The FA confirmed this in the following statement, issued at 6.15pm on Tuesday afternoon:

"Manchester United player Wayne Rooney has today admitted a charge for the use of offensive, insulting and / or abusive language.

"However, Rooney has submitted a claim that the automatic penalty of two games is clearly excessive. A commission will hear the submission tomorrow (Wednesday).

"The charge relates to an incident during his side’s fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday 2 April 2011."