Premier League - United won't appeal Evra ban

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Dec 08:35:00 2008

Manchester United have decided not to appeal against Patrice Evra's four-match ban for a post-match fracas at Chelsea last season.

2008 Chelsea-Manchester Patrice Evra - 0

The full-back was handed the punishment by the FA almost two weeks ago, stunning Sir Alex Ferguson.

The United boss was livid at the verdict, describing it as "the worst decision I have ever known".

Although United maintained their opposition to the ruling they declined to appeal because they accepted it was unlikely they could get the ban reduced or overturned.

A club spokesman said: "We retain the view that the suspension is extremely harsh, but appealing it would only prolong the process as we enter the second half of the season, when the focus of the whole squad needs to be on matches and not bureaucracy.

"Patrice accepts the suspension, but categorically denies hitting anyone. Since playing in the Premier League, he has enjoyed a good disciplinary record, having never been dismissed - something which the panel acknowledged."

Evra was fined £15,000 in addition to his suspension, and it is the ban which will disturb Ferguson more.

The former Monaco defender, who has travelled with United for their Club World Cup quest in Japan, will now be ruled out of domestic competition until mid-January.

He misses the Premier League encounters with Stoke and Middlesbrough, the FA Cup third round tie at Southampton on January 3, plus the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final with Derby four days later.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 55 - 74 of 74

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  1. MAN U are not being fair if it was C.Ronaldo or Rooney­ or berbie that got the ban or even Rio would they not­ appeal despite the claimed bureaucracy,Patrice should­ take a warning he is not a man u or a fergie great.

    From bdnjrm, on Thu 18 Dec 1:06AM

  2. The 4 match suspension is fair when compared to Drogba.­ Drogba's suspension was reduced because he­ apologised for his actions. Evra could have done the­ same.

    From Susan, on Wed 17 Dec 6:40PM

  3. what are you on about drogba got 1 game ban it was 3­ games!!! and its nice to see man u not getting away­ with something.

    at the end of the day let the football­ talk, saying that every team in top 5 apart from aston­ villa are playing rubbish football

    From ss, on Wed 17 Dec 2:20PM

  4. the English FA are total joke! Simply put.

    From chuks, on Wed 17 Dec 10:05AM

  5. Yeah well pointed out number 54 - its a ridiculous­ punishment. I can still see Keown barging and jumping­ into Van Nistelroy like the dumb oaf he was. No­ punishment. Evra gets a 4 match ban?? No one was even­ hurt its pathetic. Drogba hurls a coin hard into the­ crowd and gets off with a one day ban. Imagine what­ would have happend if that had smashed an innocent fan­ in the eye? The FA are a total joke

    From Dominic, on Wed 17 Dec 9:42AM

  6. PS to those plonkers that are wondering chelsea fans­ are looking at this go to the Chelsea page its on there­ as well

    From U R SOLES, on Wed 17 Dec 9:29AM

  7. its harsh on him but the other 2 got off when they­ clearly should have been banned

    From U R SOLES, on Wed 17 Dec 9:13AM

  8. Once again the F.A prove themselves a laughing stock .­ Why do we let them carry on , Wembley should have been­ the end a disaster . Now they rob the fans for there­ mistakes F.A should be F.U

    From Glenn T, on Wed 17 Dec 9:05AM

  9. Patrice Evra should get "Calm Down" in his­ mind.In the picture for this article all he is­ concerntrating on is fighting and other Violence. 4­ match ban is lucky , he could have got more if he­ was`nt careful. Evra is a good defender. Real Madrid­ might want him for there defence Real Madrid are­ struggling in defence and Brilliant in attack and quit­ good midfield sort the real madrid team out , sort­ Patrice Evra out.

    From Nathan, on Wed 17 Dec 8:03AM

  10. it is bad to hear this about patrice evra.anyway, MANU­ is a very formidable team.they will surely do very­ great during the FA, Carling and the Premiership­ pending the return of evra. For me, MANU remains the­ best in ENGLISH FOOTBALL.........

    From jonnyibe, on Wed 17 Dec 7:46AM

  11. Post 63
    You mean he's @#$%! lol

    From david b, on Wed 17 Dec 7:10AM

  12. try to win at everywatch.goodluck for my idol

    From dep trai, on Wed 17 Dec 6:28AM

  13. United has such a big club that we shall not even feel­ the loss of Evra,however the punishment is extremely­ harsh.

    From Moses, on Wed 17 Dec 5:25AM

  14. British refs anf bodies are generally bias against­ other europoean players and foreigners

    From Ami E, on Wed 17 Dec 4:35AM

  15. I love what is going on in Man U. Keep it up!

    From funtuck, on Wed 17 Dec 3:01AM

  16. s.j.murphy56, they are competing in the FIFA Club World­ Cup. It's when the champions of each confederate­ come together for a tournament. ManU was the winner of­ UEFA Champions League 2007-08 so they got a spot.

    From elson l, on Wed 17 Dec 1:12AM

  17. FA IS JUST BIASE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MAN U,­ WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PIZZA GATE BUST UP AFTER ASENAL­ HAVE SEVERELY BEATING BY MAN U, THEIR PLAYERS DECIDED­ TO DRESS SOME MAN U PLAYERS WITH PIZZA,

    From solomon, on Wed 17 Dec 12:55AM

  18. ALL YOU FOOTBALL FANS ARE MAD , I HEAR MAN CITY ARE­ GOING TO PAY A 30 YEAR OLD GOALKEEPER 250 K A WEEK ,­ HOW STUPID IS THAT 1 MILL A MONTH JESUS

    From GABRIEL, on Tue 16 Dec 11:45PM

  19. come on you reds

    From mickirish, on Tue 16 Dec 11:30PM

  20. I just wonder - do I have to come from Manchester to­ support Manchester? Do I have to come from Brazil to­ support Brazil. Hmmm maybe I should learn more on the­ definition of fans.

    From cokrowinoto, on Tue 16 Dec 11:10PM
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