Scholes gets three-match ban

Paul Scholes will miss Manchester United's next three games after admitting a charge of violent conduct in the Premiership clash with Middlesbrough on February 11.

At a hearing in Manchester today the England midfielder was handed a three-match suspension for striking Boro midfielder Doriva in an incident which was not seen by match official Paul Durkin.

Scholes requested a personal hearing but, after receiving the verdict, has chosen not to appeal and will therefore sit out tomorrow night's Premiership encounter with Charlton, the home game with Liverpool on Saturday and the trip to Blackburn on May 1.

He will however be free to play in the crucial Premiership showdown with Chelsea on May 8 as well as the FA Cup final against Millwall a fortnight later.

Scholes' guilt was indicated by TV replays of the incident, although that did not stop Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting the 29-year-old star, who has scored 14 goals this season, was unlikely to receive a favourable hearing.

"You know the FA and Manchester United," he said last Friday.

"There is a scenario for every club in the country and another one for us.
"We expect Paul to have a difficult hearing. Put it this way, I don't think he will get the same hearing as other players get."

Scholes did have the option of an appeal but dragging the case out even further with little chance of success would only have put his Cup final place in jeopardy.