Rooney waiting on Fifa punishment

Fifa says it will deal with Wayne Rooney's charge of violent conduct by the time the World Cup ends on Sunday.

Disciplinary chiefs met on Thursday to consider the length of his ban for the red card he received against Portugal.

The Football Association has submitted its report on Rooney's alleged stamp on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.

Fifa spokesman Andreas Herren said: "Statements have been received and the disciplinary committee will decide before the end of the World Cup."

Fifa says it will also make a decision on Argentina players Leandro Cufre and Maxi Rodriguez.

They were charged following the post-match fracas after they were defeated in a penalty shoot-out by Germany in the quarter-final.

As for Rooney, he will automatically miss the start of new England coach Steve McClaren's reign and the opening games of the Euro 2008 qualifying round in September.

The first competitive match of McClaren's reign will be against Andorra at Old Trafford on 2 September, followed four days later by an away game in Macedonia.

Rooney insists there was no malice intended in the incident which happened after he fought off several players to try and win the ball.
He says Carvalho slipped into the area where he was about to place his foot.
Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to encourage the referee to send off his Manchester United team-mate, although he denied this and will not be investigated by Fifa.
Eriksson revealed he had spoken to referee Horacio Elizondo after the game against Portugal, which was decided by a penalty shoot-out, and had "no complaints" about the decision to send off Rooney.
"I spoke to Wayne after the game and he had no intention to do it," said Eriksson.
"I also went to the referee to speak and he was 100% sure it was a red card. He told me he hit the other player and where he was hit so I can't complain about that."