SOCCER:WAYNE ROONEY could miss Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City after the English Football Association charged him yesterday, over his expletive-laden goal celebration during Saturday's 4-2 win at West Ham.

The FA charged Rooney with “use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language” after he celebrated the penalty that completed his hat-trick at Upton Park by swearing directly into a television camera.

The standard penalty for the offence is a two-match ban and, with the case being heard tomorrow, such an outcome would rule Rooney out of United’s Premier League game at home to Fulham on Saturday and the semi-final at Wembley Stadium a week later.

The charge surprised some observers, given that it was at the top end of the sanctions that were available to the FA.

It will be seen – with the five-match ban that was recently given to Rooney’s manager, Alex Ferguson, and the two-match ban given to West Ham’s manager, Avram Grant, for criticising referees – as evidence of a renewed determination at the FA to back the Respect campaign.

No player has been banned in English football for foul language and it appeared after the incident that Rooney might get away with a fine.

But the fact that he directed his outburst at a Sky camera, and therefore the television audience, is believed to have counted heavily against him.

Rooney has three options. Other than accepting the penalty, he could contest the charge – which appears highly unlikely, given that he has issued a formal apology – or he could accept the charge but contest the severity of the two-match sentence. If he does, he risks the ban being increased by a match.

In any event Rooney will know his fate before his team’s Champions League match at Chelsea tomorrow night, under the FA’s fast-track disciplinary system.

United and Rooney, who has until 6pm today to respond to the charge, refused to comment last night.

GuardianService