Rio Ferdinand drops his appeal against extra game ban
Ferdinand will now miss the games against Aston Villa and Everton
Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn his appeal against the Football Association's extra one-match ban he received for making a "frivolous" previous appeal.
The Manchester United defender, 31, was handed a three-match ban after a clash with Hull's Craig Fagan in January.
His suspension was then extended to four games by the FA after his appeal.
Ferdinand, who has already missed two games, will now miss the games at Aston Villa and Everton but can play in the Carling Cup final on 28 February.
The case was due to be heard on Friday and Manchester United had indicated that they planned to challenge the extra game ban.
But with Ferdinand named England captain last Friday it is understood he was reluctant to risk facing the FA so soon.
Manchester United were set to cite the example of Liverpool's Javier Mascherano when they appealed.
United say Mascherano got away without being charged for what they believe was a similar incident against Leeds.
Liverpool midfielder Mascherano caught striker Jermaine Beckford on the head back in September and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The concern is the word frivolous.
"The two most experienced referees in the Premier League are Alan Wiley and Steve Bennett.
"They are under the same controls and the same directions. One says yes (Bennett), in the case of Rio, and one says no (Wiley), in the case of Javier Mascherano against Leeds United when he punched the player in the back of the head.
"When you see that example, we don't think our appeal was frivolous."
Ferdinand only returned to action at Old Trafford against Hull for the first time in three months after recovering from a calf injury.
But after appearing to swing an arm at Hull striker Fagan, the England centre-half picked up a three-match ban, which was then extended to four after the FA rejected the defender's appeal.
Because of the appeal, Ferdinand, who has made only 10 appearances for his club so far this season, was able to play in the Carling Cup semi-final win over Manchester City.
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