Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has been banned for four matches for violent conduct following an appeal.
The Football Association has extended his ban by an additional game after a ‘frivolous appeal’ following the incident against Hull City last Saturday.
Ferdinand swung an arm which hit Hull striker Craig Fagan on the head, and he had initially been suspended for three fixtures.
But the United centre-half appealed against the decision, thus allowing him to play in United’s Carling Cup victory over Manchester City on Wednesday.
Ferdinand will now be suspended for Premier League games against Arsenal, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.
