Van Nistelrooy pleads guilty
(sportinglife.com)
Updated: 2004-10-27 08:10

Ruud van Nistelrooy has apologised to Arsenal's Ashley Cole for his Old Trafford horror tackle on Sunday, after confirming he will not contest a Football Association charge of serious foul play.

Manchester United have notified Soho Square that van Nistelrooy has admitted guilt over the incident, which occurred during the first half of United's 2-0 victory and caused the `cheat' jibe from Arsene Wenger thought to have sparked the `soupgate' tunnel bust-up.

Manchester United's Ruud Van Nistelrooy celebrates scoring a penalty kick against Arsenal last Sunday. Nistelrooy accepted a FA charge of serious foul play and apologised to Arsenal's Ashley Cole[AFP]

The incident will still be reviewed by a three-man FA panel on Thursday, but their verdict now appears academic as United have publicly stated they expect the striker to serve a three-match suspension.

Under the speeded-up disciplinary process, van Nistelrooy will miss three Red Devils games - starting with Tuesday night's Carling Cup third-round tie at Crewe.

The second game will be Saturday's Barclays Premiership trip to Portsmouth, which is followed by the Old Trafford encounter with neighbours City on November 7.

``Ruud van Nistelrooy has decided to accept the FA's charge of misconduct relating to the incident with Ashley Cole,'' said a Manchester United statement.

``Ruud has accepted the automatic penalty of a three-match suspension, and Manchester United fully supports Ruud's decision.''

It is the first time in his illustrious United career that van Nistelrooy will have served a ban, and both the player and the Red Devils have been quick to announce his acceptance of guilt.

While van Nistelrooy claimed this morning the incident had been `50-50' - insisting he had gone for the ball - TV replays indicated otherwise.

BBC TV pundit Alan Hansen labelled the tackle `a disgrace'.

Having given the matter further consideration, van Nistelrooy has now changed his opinion and in doing so offered Cole an apology.

``Throughout my 10-year career I believe my disciplinary record is very good, not only for Manchester United but at all my previous clubs,'' he said.

``I accept the charge brought by the FA and I take full responsibility for this incident.

``However, there was no deliberate intent to harm Ashley Cole and I would like to take this opportunity to apologise to him.''

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