Waiting game: Rooney shuffles his feet before being called in

A UEFA spokesman confirmed that the ban for the third match will be suspended for four years - and will only kick in if he is sent off in another European game.

After initial widespread confusion, it emerged that a sending-off on club duty with United will not trigger the extra game.

Rooney arrived at UEFA's HQ this morning backed by a four-strong team of lawyers - as well as England manager Fabio
Capello. The England striker was an early riser in Zurich after playing in Manchester United's Champions League exit to Basle.

QC Adam Lewis was joined by a leading Swiss lawyer, in-house FA lawyer James Bonnington and a lawyer from top firm
Charles Russell with the intention of convincing UEFA that the three-match ban was not proportional to the offence; that missing three matches of a European Championship tournament that can only last six matches is not a punishment that fits the crime.

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