Van Nistelrooy ban followed procedure - FA

The Football Association have maintained there was nothing out of the ordinary with Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy beginning his three-match suspension with last night’s Carling Cup third-round tie at Crewe.

Van Nistelrooy pleaded guilty to the charge of serious foul play levelled against him by the FA following his crude tackle on Ashley Cole during United’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in Sunday’s Barclays Premiership match at Old Trafford.