London, Jan 29 : Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been suspended for an extra game by the Football Association for what they considered a “frivolous” appeal

The centre-half will miss league games against Arsenal, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and Everton.

Ferdinand was able to play in Wednesday’s Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester City after contesting a violent conduct charge for lashing out at Hull’s Craig Fagan on Saturday.

But manager Alex Ferguson and Ferdinand were left fuming when the FA increased the punishment to four matches yesterday, The Sun reports.

United had argued the incident was identical to when Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano swung and caught Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford during a Carling Cup clash four months ago.

The FA took no action because, having reviewed the video, referee Alan Wiley said he would not have sent off Mascherano had he seen the incident.

But, in the United case, official Steve Bennett insisted he would have dismissed Ferdinand had he witnessed the foul on Fagan.

That argument did not go down well with United or Graham Bean, the former FA compliance officer who fought the charge on Ferdinand’s behalf.

Bean had recommended United accept the charge but only because he believes such cases are always weighted in the FA’s favour. (ANI)