Rooney Is Given Two-Match Ban
Wayne Rooney was suspended for two competitive international matches and fined $4,085 Saturday by a FIFA disciplinary panel that reviewed his ejection from England’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to Portugal.
Rooney was given a red card by referee Horacio Elizondo for stomping on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho during the 62nd minute of the match.
He denied it was intentional, but the FIFA committee found him guilty of violent conduct.
Rooney faced an automatic one-game suspension by virtue of the red card, but the committee doubled the punishment.
He will be suspended for the first two of England’s 12 qualifying matches for the 2008 European Championship.
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Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United and move to Spain.
“I can’t stay in England,” he said after Portugal lost to Germany, 3-1, in the World Cup’s third-place match. “Everyone knows my dream is to play in Spain.”
Ronaldo has said he is interested in a move to Real Madrid, and said his agent will meet with United’s chairman next week.
Ronaldo was jeered by England fans in Germany, and he was harshly criticized for his part in Rooney’s ejection.
After Rooney stomped on Carvalho, Ronaldo approached the referee and asked him to pull the red card against his United teammate. Rooney then shoved Ronaldo.
