Rooney admits charge, appeals ban

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Manchester United Wayne Rooney has admitted a charge of using abusive language during last week's win over West Ham but has appealed against a two-match ban, it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Rooney was hit with disciplinary proceedings by the Football Association on Monday after an expletive-laden tirade directed at a television camera during the 4-2 win at West Ham last weekend.

The charge carries a two-match suspension - ruling the England striker out of United's FA Cup semi-final duel with Manchester City later this month.

However, Rooney has challenged the severity of his likely punishment and his case will be heard on Wednesday, the FA confirmed.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to be drawn on the Rooney case when quizzed by journalists at a press conference in London on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea.

"We have nothing to say about that. I am not going to discuss it at all," he said. "We have submitted our case."

An FA statement read: "The FA has charged Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language.”

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

As Rooney celebrated with United team-mates after completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot - United having been 2-0 down earlier - the England star was caught uttering a series of audible expletives towards the camera.

Rooney's swearing was beamed around the world by Sky Sports with the game televised in more than 200 countries and the incident prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters.

While the England player said the emotion of giving his side the lead after they trailed 2-0 at half-time had prompted his outburst, England's FA took a different view.

Widespread press reports Sunday had quoted an FA spokesperson as saying: "We will look at it. We obviously don't condone foul and abusive language."

FA director Sir Trevor Brooking had also said the governing body would have to investigate Rooney's behaviour at Upton Park.

Rooney apologised for his outburst in a statement released by United on Saturday evening.

He said: "I want to apologise for any offence that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching. Emotions were running high and on reflection my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular."

It is not the first time Rooney has been in trouble for ranting into television cameras.

He also upset England fans during last year's World Cup when he turned to a camera and verbally attacked them for jeering at the end of a 0-0 draw with Algeria in the group stages.