Soccer Star Gets 2-Game Boot for On-Air Swear

British soccer ace Wayne Rooney is facing a two-game ban for cursing heard 'round the world. The Manchester United striker swore directly at a TV camera after completing a hat-trick against West Ham over the weekend and is now expected to miss the upcoming FA Cup clash with arch-rivals Manchester City, CNN reports. Soccer authorities have charged him with using offensive language. Since the outburst was broadcast live to 150 countries, Rooney's not expected to appeal.

Fellow Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has spoken out in support of Rooney. "Are football stadiums 'no swearing' zones? When I take my kids to a football match I'm getting him headphones cuz swearing is rife!" he tweeted. "Newspapers and radio, come on, give Wayne a break. He knows what he did was wrong and he has apologized." (More Wayne Rooney stories.)