Roy Keane has been found guilty on two charges of bringing the game into disrepute at his FA hearing today, but has escaped with just a five game ban and a fine of £150,000.
The Manchester United midfielder was expected to be handed an eight to ten game ban after being found guilty of an improperly motivated foul on Manchester City's Alf Inge Haaland and of profiting from his actions, by detailing the foul in his recently released autobiography.
The ban will commence on November 4, which is roughly the time Keane was expected to return from injury following his hip operation, and the Corkman will miss crucial games against Newcastle and bitter rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
A statement from the FA read "Manchester United's Roy Keane has tonight been found guilty on both counts of misconduct by the FA. Keane will receive a five-match suspension, commencing on November 4 and a £150,000 fine, both subject to appeal within 14 days.
Manchester United's solicitor Maurice Watkins, refused to rule out an appeal and said "Clearly after the arguments that have been put forward in Roy's defence we are disappointed with the verdict. After such a long day, now is not the time to make quick decisions so we will be reviewing the question of appeal over the next few days."
Filed by Rob Wright
