Rio Ferdinand Suspended 3 Matches: Latest Details, Reaction and Analysis

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5

The FA has explained the three-match ban handed down to Rio Ferdinand for his recent use of the word "sket" on Twitter.

Ferdinand has expressed much bemusement over the punishment, but BBC Sport provides the FA's reply, which also stated "there is certainly no sign of remorse" from the QPR man:

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With nearly 6m followers, Mr Ferdinand is clearly an experienced Twitter user and should know better.

He is, without doubt, a role model for many young people. His responsibility is therefore that much greater.

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Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 4

Rio Ferdinand will not appeal his three-match FA ban, which was dished out after a tweet he posted that used the slang term "sket."

Ben Rumsby of the Telegraph reports: 

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Rio Ferdinand has decided not to appeal against the severity of his three-match ban for using the word 'sket' after examining the written reasons for his punishment.

Despite being furious over his sanction for using the word – slang for a promiscuous woman – in an exchange on Twitter, Ferdinand is understood to believe it is all but futile to challenge the verdict.

[...] Close associates of Ferdinand’s believe the entire system is fundamentally flawed, particularly the judging of cases by ‘independent’ regulatory commissions whose members are appointed by the FA.

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Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

Rio Ferdinand tweeted his thoughts on the ban:

Teammate Joey Barton also took to Twitter to voice support for the defender: 

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Rio Ferdinand's ill-conceived tweet on transfer day earlier this season has come back to haunt him, as the Football Association has suspended him for three matches and fined him £25,000.

In a press release, the FA also noted that Ferdinand was also "severely warned as to his future conduct and ordered to attend an education programme, arranged by The FA within four months."    

Earlier in the month, Dominic Fifield of The Guardian reported that Ferdinand had "been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for a tweet, posted on transfer deadline day six weeks ago, in which he used the slang term 'sket.'"   

Rob Harris of the Associated Press provides the tweet: 

Per the FA release, that comment was deemed "abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting and/or improper" and also was a breach, as it "included a reference to gender."

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Ferdinand has made seven appearances for Queens Park Rangers this season, earning an average match rating of 6.81, per WhoScored.com.

One of the veteran leaders on the team and a regular fixture on the back line, Ferdinand's absence, pending appeal, will be felt by the recently promoted club.

QPR are currently 19th on the table with just two wins and a draw in nine league games, so it's already an "all hands on deck" situation for the club as they look to remain in the Premier League this season. Ferdinand's disappointing tweet and subsequent suspension could really hurt the club.

Suffice to say, it was hardly behavior befitting a former captain of the England national team. One would guess Ferdinand will be far more mindful about his public declarations going forward.