FA: Ruud ban followed procedure

14 April 2012

The Football Association have maintained there was nothing out of the ordinary with Manchester United's Ruud van Nistelrooy beginning his three-match suspension with last night's Carling Cup third-round tie at Crewe.

Van Nistelrooy pleaded guilty to the charge of serious foul play levelled against him by the FA following his crude tackle on Ashley Cole during United's 2-0 win over Arsenal in Sunday's Barclays Premiership match at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman's admission was lodged with officials at Soho Square in time for last night's match against Crewe to be included in the three-game suspension.

A much-changed United cruised to a 3-0 win at Gresty Road, and with Alan Smith and Louis Saha leading their attack, it had been suggested the Dutchman would not have been selected if he was available anyway.

But an FA spokesman said: "Suspensions have never applied to just league games.
"The disciplinary system is applied to Premier League games, FA Cup games and League Cup games."

Under the FA's new fast-track disciplinary process, the striker will also now miss Saturday's trip to Portsmouth and the November 7 Manchester derby

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