Rooney appeals length of ban

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has admitted an FA charge of using abusive language but appealed the severity of his two-match ban.

The Football Association confirmed that they had received a submission from Manchester United and the case will be heard on Wednesday afternoon.

If Rooney's claim fails he runs the risk of having a suspension that currently includes Saturday's Premier League encounter with Fulham and the following week's FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at Wembley extended.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League quarter-final with Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson made it clear he did not want to discuss the matter.

"I have nothing to say. I am not going to discuss it at all," he said.

"We have submitted our case."

Rooney was kept out of the open training session on Tuesday morning to shield him from the cameras, although Ferguson did confirm he also had treatment for a bruised shin.

That should not keep him out of Wednesday's game though, by which time he will know the punishment he will face.

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

"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."