27-01-2010, 07:29 PM
Ferdinand denies FA charge
United defender free to face City in Carling Cup clash
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has denied the violent conduct charge brought against him by the Football Association.
The centre-back was charged after television replays showed him appearing to catch Hull City's Craig Fagan with his arm during Saturday's 4-0 success at Old Trafford.
If Ferdinand had accepted the charge, he would have missed Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City with the Red Devils looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit and the following two matches.
The denial means Ferdinand will now be free to face their bitter rivals with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
If his move fails, then the three-game suspension will begin with Sunday's vital Premier League clash against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and will also take in the matches against Portsmouth and Aston Villa.
And if the FA deem his attempt to have the ban overturned to be 'frivolous' then they have the option of imposing an additional punishment, which would see the England international miss the game against Everton on 20th February.
Ferdinand has only just returned to action following a long-term back injury but could now be facing another stint out of action, with his fate to be decided on Thursday.
A statement on the FA's official website read: "A regulatory commission will hear the charge on Thursday 28 January."
United defender free to face City in Carling Cup clash
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has denied the violent conduct charge brought against him by the Football Association.
The centre-back was charged after television replays showed him appearing to catch Hull City's Craig Fagan with his arm during Saturday's 4-0 success at Old Trafford.
If Ferdinand had accepted the charge, he would have missed Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Manchester City with the Red Devils looking to overturn a 2-1 deficit and the following two matches.
The denial means Ferdinand will now be free to face their bitter rivals with a place at Wembley up for grabs.
If his move fails, then the three-game suspension will begin with Sunday's vital Premier League clash against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and will also take in the matches against Portsmouth and Aston Villa.
And if the FA deem his attempt to have the ban overturned to be 'frivolous' then they have the option of imposing an additional punishment, which would see the England international miss the game against Everton on 20th February.
Ferdinand has only just returned to action following a long-term back injury but could now be facing another stint out of action, with his fate to be decided on Thursday.
A statement on the FA's official website read: "A regulatory commission will hear the charge on Thursday 28 January."