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United accept Rio suspension

Date: 10/02/2010
Football betting

Manchester United have withdrawn their appeal against the extra game suspension handed down to Rio Ferdinand for lashing out at Hull City's Craig Fagan last month.

The 31-year-old centre-half picked up an automatic three-match ban for his actions at Old Trafford on January 23, while an initial appeal was deemed to be frivolous by the FA, who added another game to the punishment.

That prompted United to consider a second appeal against the sanctions, but the Premier League champions have now opted to accept Ferdinand's fate.

Chelsea captain John Terry has issued a statement thanking his club's fans for their support following recent revelations about his private life.

The 29-year-old has lost the England captaincy as a consequence of recent events, but has remained focused on the job in hand at Stamford Bridge.

Following the 2-0 win over Arsenal, Terry told the club's official website: "On a personal note I would like to thank every single fan.

"It's been an emotional day for myself and how the fans have been with me over the last two weeks has been quite incredible."

West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has warned that the club face possible meltdown if they are relegated from the Premier League this season.

Former Birmingham City owners Sullivan and David Gold recently took charge at Upton Park and have made it clear that finances at Upton Park are in a parlous state, with the size of player contracts a major concern.

Sullivan told The Sun: "It'll be Armageddon if we go down. It'll be worse than what's gone on at Newcastle United."

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has revealed that midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi will be absent for six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

The South Africa international limped out of Saturday's goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers and scans have confirmed a ligament problem.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled winger Leigh Halfpenny and lock Jonathan Thomas into his side for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Scotland at the Millennium Stadium.

The casualties are Tom James and Luke Charteris who, after starting the 30-17 defeat to England, have not been included in the 22-man squad for the match in Cardiff.

Lock Alun Wyn Jones plays despite suggestions he could be dropped after his sin-binning at Twickenham was blamed for Wales' defeat. England scored 17 unanswered points during Jones' time off the pitch.

Scotland coach Andy Robinson has made three changes to the side from the home defeat to France for Saturday's visit to Cardiff for their latest Six Nations clash against Wales.

Dan Parks is recalled in place of Phil Godman at fly-half while Euan Murray comes into the front row to replace Moray Low, who drops out of the 22-man squad completely.

Sean Lamont switches to centre in place of Max Evans, with Rory Lamont taking his brother's spot on the left wing.

Chris Paterson retains his place at full-back and will become the first Scot to represent his country on 100 occasions.

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