Rio's Appeal Hearing

[bigtoga]

Erikson hopes for Rio ban U-turn (http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,31-1127542,00.html) "Of course I hope (that his ban is reduced). I don't know what's going to happen but if he could have a lesser punishment, I should be happy. If that's fair or not, I will leave for the other people to decide."
Remember this week how the FA came out responding to rumors about the winter break by saying they weren't going to add it? Erikson publicy stated that he wanted more discussions and the FA went back to the table. It now looks like the FA will add the winter break for next season. It looks like Erikson is sticking up for his players.

Another good read: Sven has fingers crossed for Rio (http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchesterunited/stories/Detail_LinkStory%3D84384.html)

[Prawn Sandwich]

I think you'll find that the only comment from Sven that relates to Rio was the part about hoping his sentence would be decreased.

The rest of the quote (chairmen, FA council etc) was in relation to Sven pushing for a winter break in the Premiership....

[bigtoga]

Originally posted by Prawn Sandwich
I think you'll find that the only comment from Sven that relates to Rio was the part about hoping his sentence would be decreased.

The rest of the quote (chairmen, FA council etc) was in relation to Sven pushing for a winter break in the Premiership.... Yea - re-read it one minute later and edited lol. You beat me to it hehe

[bigtoga]

More... (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0%2C8659%2C8981190-23215%2C00.html)"The thought I could still play for United and go to Portugal is what made me so driven in training," Ferdinand told The Sun. "Without that thought I would have found it a lot more difficult. United manager (Alex Ferguson) told me to treat things as if I had an injury and that is what I have been doing. I am not pre-judging the case and I have no idea what the outcome will be but if I didn't think there was a chance of success there would be no point appealing in the first place."

The appeal will be heard by a three-man panel, chaired by a legally qualified non-FA representative to determine Ferdinand's fate – if the ban is upheld, Ferdinand will be barred from playing until September 20. Even more (http://www.ananova.com/sport/soccer/story/sm_892151.html?menu=sport.football.footballheadlines)If he was in any doubt as to Ferdinand's usefulness, Eriksson has seen the effect of the defender's absence on Manchester United, who also appear to be struggling to replace David Beckham.

Eriksson said: "If you see the difference between now and the beginning of the season, you can see they miss Rio Ferdinand. Whether they miss David Beckham, you'd have to ask Sir Alex Ferguson."

[bigtoga]

As it draws closer, more of the same rhetoric we heard a while ago:Double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe said that Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand had been fortunate to get just an eight-month ban for missing a drugs test. (from http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=afp-fbl_eng_pr_manutd&prov=afp&type=lgns)

Just ******** the ******** off goddamint

[Mac_Howard]

Seb Coe seems to have caught the Blatter bug. What is it about sports admin that they have no understanding of the process of law? :rolleyes:

[Coach_McGuirk]

Do you guys think that this really doesn't have much to do with Rio at all, rather it's a "ManU & SAF vs. the FA" kind of thing? I've read in several articles that the FA was pissed that ManU wasn't more humble about it, and the fact that he continued to play waiting for the final hearing really ticked them off, as well.

Regardless, 8 months was ridiculous. I certainly hope the FA clears him for Euro 2004, at least.

[Sofabloke]

That'll be the same FA that reduced our ticket allocation for the FA Cup semi because our fans have been known to stand up.

Who are also a member of UEFA who are trying to overturn their own judgement on Roy Keane.

Dammit, now I am sounding like a paranoid Arsenal supporter! Only kidding Coach :)

Seriously thanks for the support, when its a high profile club like us or you they 'make an example' or to put it another way screw us over in order to publicly assert their dwindling authority. Only the smaller clubs seem to get justice with issues looked at on their merits :(

[Mac_Howard]

I think you'll find it's just the w....nkers that run the game.

Wales are currently appealing the UEFA decision against them over the Russian player who tested positive for drugs in the match against them in the European Cup qualifiers. They will not be allowed to call witnesses, their QC will not be allowed to speak and their manager can only contribute a written submission :rolleyes:

[Motterman]

From yahoo news:

Rio Ferdinand's drugs ban appeal broke up on Thursday afternoon with a verdict expected at a press conference later in the day.

Ferdinand was hoping to get his eight-month ban reduced when he appeared before a three-man panel in a Heathrow hotel.

Well, now the nervous waiting begins... :rolleyes:

[Deuteriumoxide]

Originally posted by Motterman
From yahoo news:



Well, now the nervous waiting begins... :rolleyes:

well, I think that they will end up reducing the ban.

this is based on nothing other than my own sensless optimism. so there you go.

[Potomac Red Devil]

Ban stands as is.

Soccernet.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by Potomac Red Devil
Ban stands as is.

Soccernet.

I figured, since it was so short of an argument phase.

Stupid of Rio to not keep playing until his appeal was heard, in hindsight, of course.

[Motterman]

From the BBC:

The appeal was heard by an independent three-man panel, with Ferdinand's counsel providing new evidence in his defence before the FA replied.

The panel, headed by independent QC Ian Mill and also with FA chairman Geoff Thompson and FA councillor Roger Burden. retired to consider its verdict at 1515 GMT.

Do you think they report this with a straight face or not? :rolleyes:

[johno]

oh well... i am not shocked, but I am not pleased...

I guess the FA thinks that by pissing people off they will increase their power... I really don't understand this at all... 8 months for missing a test... thank god the FA don't run my college...

[Achtung]

Originally posted by mtkillamanjohno
8 months for missing a test... thank god the FA don't run my college...

It would only be a problem if you were the star student, earning straight A's and working on a very important research project. If you were anyone else, they'd just make you pay a small fine and send you on your way.

[Andy TAUS]

Originally posted by Achtung
It would only be a problem if you were the star student, earning straight A's and working on a very important research project. If you were anyone else, they'd just make you pay a small fine and send you on your way. Achtung,

Unfortunately it was the star student himself that managed not to take the test. How dumb was that ?

It wouldn't have been a problem at all if he had been more interested in his football career than his shopping.

Andy T.

[delmundo]

The ban stands. Did we ever think it wouldnt. No big suprise.
ManU said that they would stand behind Rio all the way, go the distance, even take the issue to court if need be and even pay him during his suspention.

!?!Pay him!?!
When a player is suspended does his pay not go to the League as a penalty to the player and the team?
For ManU to pay him does that not mean they are paying him twice. Once for his pocket and once for the League pocket.
Is he not a 90,000 pound a week player? Thats a lot to double up on. No wonder the *board* is all tied up in knots over there.

He messed up.
He got suspended.
Why are we paying him?

How much are we paying him to sit in the stands and look disinterested?

I dont care if he ever comes back. Lets get a guy who has a brain to play in the middle. He is ruining this club in more than one way.

I know I know , he is coming back. How many games does he miss at the beginning of next year?

How many shirts do I have to buy to make up for this double salary dip.

[Achtung]

Originally posted by Andy TAUS
Achtung,

Unfortunately it was the star student himself that managed not to take the test. How dumb was that ?

It wouldn't have been a problem at all if he had been more interested in his football career than his shopping.

Andy T.

So because he's the star, he receives a harsher punishment than the mediocre student?

[Andy TAUS]

So because he's the star, he receives a harsher punishment than the mediocre student?Achtung,

You called him "the star". I think he's proven to us all to actually be "the mediocre student".

Your words !!!!

Andy T.