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Van Nistelrooy pleads guilty
Ruud van Nistelrooy has apologised to Arsenal's Ashley Cole for his Old Trafford horror tackle on Sunday, after confirming he will not contest a Football Association charge of serious foul play. Manchester United have notified Soho Square that van Nistelrooy has admitted guilt over the incident, which occurred during the first half of United's 2-0 victory and caused the `cheat' jibe from Arsene Wenger thought to have sparked the `soupgate' tunnel bust-up.
The incident will still be reviewed by a three-man FA panel on Thursday, but their verdict now appears academic as United have publicly stated they expect the striker to serve a three-match suspension. Under the speeded-up disciplinary process, van Nistelrooy will miss three Red Devils games - starting with Tuesday night's Carling Cup third-round tie at Crewe. The second game will be Saturday's Barclays Premiership trip to Portsmouth, which is followed by the Old Trafford encounter with neighbours City on November 7. ``Ruud van Nistelrooy has decided to accept the FA's charge of misconduct relating to the incident with Ashley Cole,'' said a Manchester United statement. ``Ruud has accepted the automatic penalty of a three-match suspension, and Manchester United fully supports Ruud's decision.'' It is the first time in his illustrious United career that van Nistelrooy will have served a ban, and both the player and the Red Devils have been quick to announce his acceptance of guilt. While van Nistelrooy claimed this morning the incident had been `50-50' - insisting he had gone for the ball - TV replays indicated otherwise. BBC TV pundit Alan Hansen labelled the tackle `a disgrace'. Having given the matter further consideration, van Nistelrooy has now changed his opinion and in doing so offered Cole an apology. ``Throughout my 10-year career I believe my disciplinary record is very good, not only for Manchester United but at all my previous clubs,'' he said. ``I accept the charge brought by the FA and I take full responsibility for this incident. ``However, there was no deliberate intent to harm Ashley Cole and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to him.'' |
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