Manchester United have backed down in their dispute with the FA over Rio Ferdinand's suspension after it emerged the new England captain has withdrawn his appeal.The new England captain had decided to challenge the ban after FA bosses added an extra game to his punishment for being found guilty of violent conduct against Hull's Craig Fagan.
His appeal put him at risk of seeing the suspension increased to five games, which would have seen the defender miss the Carling Cup final against Aston Villa at the end of this month.
This worst-case scenario would have meant his first game back would have been England's international friendly with Egypt at Wembley on March 3.
Ferdinand, however, didn't want to risk being out for so long before making his first game as the new England leader the date for his return to action.
His appeal hearing was due to take place in London on Friday but has been cancelled after Ferdinand told Manchester United officials to withdraw his appeal.
We understand that United were happy to let Ferdinand press ahead with the appeal in the hope of getting his ban reduced back to three games.
Ferdinand pleaded not guilty to the original charge, despite video evidence showing him to hit Fagan across the face during United's comfortable home victory over Hull last month.
FA officials decided his plea was 'frivolous' and angered both the player and Ferguson by adding an extra game to the standard three-match ban.
Ferdinand, who succeeded John Terry as Fabio Capello's new captain last week after the disgraced Chelsea star was stripped of the armband, is desperate to avoid any clashes with his Wembley bosses as he settles into his new role.
It seems Ferdinand has learnt from the behaviour of his predecessor and is already conscious of making sure nothing risks damaging his image both on and off the field.
An appeal would not only have done exactly this, but it would have also put his new bosses in a compromising position given the fact he has just been elevated to a position of such authority and respect.
