Premier League - Ferdinand to escape punishment

Eurosport - Mon, 14 Jul 14:36:00 2008

Rio Ferdinand seems certain to escape any formal sanction over his part in last season's fracas that followed Manchester United's clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.

2008 Manchester United Rio Ferdinand merked - 0

Reports have emerged of a possible four-match ban for the Manchester United defender - which could rule him out of England's friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20 and scupper his chances of being appointed as Fabio Capello's new captain.

Given Ferdinand has already suffered the misery of serving an eight-month ban for a missed drugs test in 2004, it would be the worst kind of news possible for the 29-year-old Londoner and somewhat bizarre given it was United's complaints about the treatment of their players that led to the inquiry in the first place.

Ferdinand apologised after accidentally kicking a female steward in frustration following his side's defeat.

However, sources close to the investigation into events that took place at Chelsea immediately after the key showdown, which finished in acrimony as the home side won thanks to a hotly disputed late penalty, have been left bemused by the speculation surrounding Ferdinand.

For, while the official report is still being compiled, there has been no suggestion Ferdinand will face any penalty, let alone miss the opening four matches of the season.

And, although such a move would be bad news for United, who are already without Cristiano Ronaldo for an extended period following the winger's recent ankle operation, even in the unlikely event of Ferdinand being punished, it would not affect his availability for England.

It has been pointed out that Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Ferdinand's major rival for the captaincy, John Terry, have been deliberately overlooked for selection by England in recent times.

However, in those instances, it was a policy decision taken by the FA until police or court action against the individuals concerned had been concluded.

Similarly, there is no link with Ferdinand's own lengthy ban because it covered all football, both for club and country.

It means that whatever the outcome of the FA's investigation Ferdinand will be available for the Czech Republic game, before which Capello intends to name his new skipper, having tried out four men for the post.

The FA meanwhile are continuing their own investigations into the Stamford Bridge clash, although as yet, no timescale for a definitive decision has been reached.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 33 - 52 of 52

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  1. Afcwasps LOOK WHOS TALKING. I dont like men hitting women or vice versa. And you say im stooping really low supporting man utd.No offense to the people who support the teams but i think supporting teams that are in the Coca-Cola League 2 is stooping really low and and anyway if anyone lacks morale its you. So please stop this argument and stop being such a pain in the @#$%.

    From Richard, on Wed 16 Jul 7:40PM

  2. Richard,the @#$% is you son. obviously you like men that hit women seeing that you are so vehemently sticking up for him. as for being a manc fan i would never stoop that low.you need to stand back and look at your morales or rather your lack of them @#$%.

    From afcwasps@..., on Wed 16 Jul 5:20PM

  3. so rio shouldnt be england captain cos he is a women beating drug taker well what about terrys off field antics serial shagger behind missus back weeing on niteclubs floors and most of all one big CRY BABY

    From wigster7, on Tue 15 Jul 11:41AM

  4. I am a united fan and i do not want to see rio as captain of england. I would love to see gerrard as captain. He is the best player that plays when england play.

    From sammutdan, on Tue 15 Jul 10:08AM

  5. As a role model for the country youngsters RF is much lower in standard compared to JT. Not sure why people don't like JT to continue as Englang Captain. Is it the Chelsea and Russian billionaire factor playing a role here? Does it make any diffrence whether they are Americans or Russinan investestor coming to the UK football market? Would like other people's thought.

    From M A, on Tue 15 Jul 9:44AM

  6. I think FA have a motiv on this issue. Let us know who behind the curtains doesnt want Rio as Captain.He has proved he can be a leader. Let the haters read from the back page..He deserves the position.

    From Alecky, on Tue 15 Jul 8:37AM

  7. Whats wiv all da abuse people r givin out 2 rio and otha man u players???? at d end of d day none of u knw dem so y give dem grief and abuse. if they wasnt footballers u wudnt care what they did wiv their lives. y cant people just comment on d football side of things, evry1 makes mistakes but cos its rio ferdinand, a footballer he gets grief bout it!!!!

    From s.jermaine7508, on Tue 15 Jul 8:36AM

  8. man u fans are getting worried, ha ha ha ha

    From k.j.blackburn, on Mon 14 Jul 3:38PM

    Life isnn't easy )

    From United, kids, wife, on Tue 15 Jul 1:24AM

  9. I love politics. It is entertaining no matter where it exists..

    From Half A Brain, on Mon 14 Jul 9:47PM

  10. So, here we go again!!Rio to be punished under Man. U. version of regulations, and all the other players to get whipped!!!

    From a.bice@..., on Mon 14 Jul 9:27PM

  11. GO TO URL OF NICK

    From www.premiership.altervista.org, on Mon 14 Jul 8:18PM

  12. Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United, a cheats Charter

    From malcolm.higgins1@..., on Mon 14 Jul 8:16PM

  13. john b (#38) - tough comment, strong language, but it contains truth... Few footballers can lose with respect for their opponents. Recall Carragher's honourable comment after Liverpool's CL exit to Chelsea - that's good character.

    From gordon.merk, on Mon 14 Jul 7:44PM

  14. nice one...

    glad about that :) enoughs enough!!

    rio for england captain!!

    From d.p.graham@..., on Mon 14 Jul 7:42PM

  15. The FA should be much tougher on undiscplined behaviour of all kinds. Rugby players, especially their respect for referees, should be the example for the football players. I would like to see more respect for others by these professionals. If Rio should be captain - and no doubt, he's a great defender - should only be involved in situations when seeking to calm it down. Gerrard should be England captain!

    From gordon.merk, on Mon 14 Jul 7:38PM

  16. So it looks like the junky is going to get away with it yet again. It seems to me that if your name is Ferdinand and you play for tosspots utd.You can get away with anything what a great rolemodel he is for our young footballers. Earn lots of money,buylots of drugs,and if you get pissed off go kick a steward.

    johnboy

    From john b, on Mon 14 Jul 7:36PM

  17. He is just one thug out of many in the England squad !!

    From Tim, on Mon 14 Jul 7:06PM

  18. Afcwasps stop being so @#$% retarded.Every player goes through situations like that at least once in their career so when it happens with Ferdinand, you go absolutely mental. You are probably dont like man utd. If you are a man utd fan, you are a complete disgrace. I wonder what you said about ronaldo..........

    From Richard, on Mon 14 Jul 6:37PM

  19. If Barton got such banal punishment for his offenses, I'll probably blow up in rage if Rio gets punished for something he owned up to and apologized for immediately. Nothing new in the FA trying to get United in trouble at the beginning of the season - why do you think those &^$^&#%&# are based in London?

    From Oluwatosin O, on Mon 14 Jul 6:26PM

  20. how can anyone respect this moron rio he is a abomination he is thick

    From ALAN S, on Mon 14 Jul 6:16PM
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