To the FA/Arsenal/ FIFA (Rio matter)

No its about punishing a player- why cant anyone accept the fact, Rio has done something wrong and should be punished for it.
If he got a fine and two weeks suspension- the next bloke who 'may' have taken illegal drugs would think its worth the risk and just avoid the test and take the small punishment.
Ferdinand got what he deserved- theres no way the FA are backing down on this.

 

Yeah, the FA suspended Rio because they're in cohoots with Arsenal. Riiiiight.

Someone lock this useless thread.

 

Re: Arsenal people on the FA Board

Oh, this is a load of crap. ManU is damn lucky that they didn't get any meaningful punishment from that fracas earlier this year.

As for Ferdinand, he screwed up and he is being punished for it. The FA, and other sports authorities, need to take a hard line on drug use. If this suspension forces people involved with the EPL to take notice when they are requested to give a random test, this is worth it. Sorry Rio and sorry ManU, your anger in this matter is sadly misplaced. It should be directed at Rio Ferdinand and NOT at the FA!

 

Andrew neave, you're an idiot plain and simple.

 

Spot on pal- couldnt agree more.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

fixed your post.

 

Oh god, i was rather hoping that Abramovichs bribe had gone un-noticed.

Bugger, you're just to sharp.

 

This might give ManU fans a bad name!

Don't worry Clan, we're catching up on you lot quick... it's abviously a conspiracy between Arsenal-Chelsea and the FA against United since a London club as champions will mean more money and so Arsenal's "discipilinary records" were just to throw us off, whereas Chelsea have Duffs footwork to do the same for the Blues.

 

Re: Arsenal people on the FA Board

The patented OPBullshit-o-Meter is in the red. I think it's in danger of exploding!!!!! Everybody take cover!!!!!!!

 

Thats so lovely it almost brought a tear to my eye!

And Mark Bosnich took coke and got 9 months! Thats more than Rio?!
Stam, Davids and De Bouer werent punished by the English FA, where they?

 

Re: Thank you for all your comments

I disagree with everything you say about ManU, but I have to ask where in NH are you? I grew up in the Granite State.

 

While I do think Rio should be punished, 8 months is a bit excessive in my view. Others who tested positive received far less punishment.

As for the FA or FIFA trying to throw a wrench in ManU's quest for the cup? Please. I thought only Arsenal supporters had the lock on FA conspiracy theorys.

 

Oh dear.

 

How many bloody times does this have to be spelt out to people?!
They haven't!
The Italian FA dealt with Stam, Davis, etc.
The English FA delt with Rio and Boscnich!
Boscnich recieved a 9 month ban for being positive!

 

The FA set a precident for missing a test when they fined Christian Negouai of Man City 2000 pounds. I don't recall a suspension. Others in the past who have tested, and tested positive have received small fines and counseling. To go from that, to Rio's punishment is way overboard just to prove a point. Belive me, I have no love loss for any player at ManU. At the same time, I think the suspension is a bit extreme. Especially when the guy came up clean when he did test.

 

isn't it also true that Negouai didn't speak a word of English at the time, making the possibly of not complying with what he'd been asked (in English) to do a little bit more understandable.

I think Man Utd & Rio would have done far better if they'd been willing to admit to even a tiny bit of guilt in the matter, rather than trying to blame everyone else for the problem.

Come the appeal his fine will be increased and his ban reduced to 3 months. As Man Utd had made it clear they'd appeal over any ban imposed, this 8 month ban strikes me as little more than a bargaining position.

 

Spot on my friend. The fine is a mere pentence to him (Rio that is). The fact that he's a blithering idiot that happens to be a great footballer is beside the point. The ban is the negotiating factor the English FA has to bargain with to look good. In appeal he may have to pony up more duckets to get a lighter suspension. It's all a game to make the English FA look like they are standing firm.

 

I've also also read that Negouai did eventually turn up within the 1 (?) hour window allowed him after Man City desperately tried to get hold of him. If that's true, I don't see how you can compare the two cases.

 

I can. He tested positive, Rio tested negative.

Once again I have to say, even though he plays for ManUre, fair is fair.

 

If it violates FIFA rules to go to the civil courts to settle a soccer related matter, ManU shouldn't go and if they do, Blatter and FIFA are fully in their rights to punish Manchester United.

I can't believe how incredibly childish ManU is being about this. Players get suspended. Rio knew he had a drug test. He didn't show. 8 months is actually on the light end of what he COULD have gotten (up to two years).

Live with the ban, don't go to the civil courts, or you will only make things worse for yourself. THis blaming everyone else for forgetting your own drug test is what I would expect from a sixth grader in primary school.