LONDON: England's Football Association (FA) on Monday charged Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney following his foul-mouthed outburst into a television camera during Saturday's 4-2 win over West Ham at Upton Park. An FA statement read: “The FA has charged Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the use of offensive, insulting and/or abusive language. “This charge relates to an incident during his side's fixture with West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday April 2, 2011. “Rooney has until 6 P.M. (1700 GMT) on April 5 to respond to the charge.” As Rooney celebrated with United teammates after completing his hat trick from the penalty spot – United having been 2-0 down earlier – the England star was caught uttering a series of audible expletives towards the camera. Rooney's swearing was beamed around the world by Sky Sports with the game televised in more than 200 countries and the incident prompted an on-air apology from the broadcasters. While the England player said the emotion of giving his side the lead after it trailed 2-0 at half-time had prompted his outburst, England's FA took a different view. Widespread press reports Sunday had quoted an FA spokesperson as saying: “We will look at it. We obviously don't condone foul and abusive language.” FA director Sir Trevor Brooking had also said the governing body would have to investigate Rooney's behaviour at Upton Park. Rooney apologized for his outburst in a statement released by United Saturday evening. He said: “I want to apologize for any offense that may have been caused by my goal celebration, especially any parents or children that were watching. Emotions were running high and on reflection my heat-of-the-moment reaction was inappropriate. It was not aimed at anyone in particular.” It is not the first time Rooney has been in trouble for ranting into television cameras. He also upset England fans during last year's World Cup when he turned to a camera and verbally attacked them for jeering at the end of a 0-0 draw with Algeria in the group stages. Milan fined for lasers and banners Italian leader AC Milan have been fined 20,000 euros after fans shone lasers in the eyes of Inter Milan coach Leonardo and player Wesley Sneijder during Saturday's 3-0 derby win, Serie A said in a statement Monday. The fine was also punishment for offensive banners which were unveiled at the San Siro insulting Leonardo, who was Milan coach last season and joined arch-rival Inter in December. Serie A's weekly disciplinary release also confirmed that Napoli striker Edinson Cavani would be suspended for next Sunday's game at Bologna. The Uruguayan scored a hat trick in Sunday's 4-3 win over Lazio to keep his club in the title hunt but picked up a booking to take him over the limit. Inter's Cristian Chivu and Milan's Antonio Cassano will both miss their sides' next match after being sent off in the derby. 2-match ban on Grant West Ham manager Avram Grant has been handed a two-match touchline ban and fined 6,000 pounds for comments made about match official Mike Jones, the Football Association (FA) confirmed Monday. An Independent Regulatory Commission found Grant guilty of improper conduct relating to comments made to the media in the aftermath of the Hammers' 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke on March 13. Grant's ban will commence with immediate effect and means he will miss the Premier League clashes at Bolton this weekend and at home to Aston Villa the following week.
