Man Utd use Mascherano as example in Ferdinand appeal
Manchester United will use Javier Mascherano as the example as to why Rio Ferdinand did not lodge a "frivolous" appeal against a three-match ban last week.
Ferdinand was hit with a violent conduct charge by the Football Association for striking Hull's Craig Fagan in a Premier League game at Old Trafford on January 23.
Yet United felt Ferdinand had a case and have opted to challenge, even though further matches could be added to the current four-game suspension if the disciplinary panel decides otherwise next Monday.
The Red Devils feel that Mascherano got away without even being charged for what they believe was a very similar incident against Leeds in September, when the Argentina star caught Jermaine Beckford on the head.
"The concern is the word frivolous," stated boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The two most experienced referees in the Premier League are Alan Wiley and Steve Bennett.
"They are under the same controls and the same directions. One says yes (Bennett), in the case of Rio, and one says no (Wiley), in the case of Javier Mascherano against Leeds United when he punched the player in the back of the head.
"When you see that example, we don't think our appeal was frivolous."
del.icio.us
Ping This!
Reddit
StumbleUpon
YahooGet involved. Your opinion matters - like us on 
Tribal Games
Tribalfootball Store
Results & Fixtures
Matches
| Home | Away | Score | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat Feb 11th | |||
| Manchester United | Liverpool | - | 12:45 |
| Everton | Chelsea | - | 15:00 |
| Swansea City | Norwich City | - | 15:00 |
| Aston Villa | Manchester City | - | 15:00 |
| Fulham | Stoke City | - | 15:00 |
| Blackburn Rovers | Queens Park Rangers | - | 15:00 |
| Bolton Wanderers | Wigan Athletic | - | 15:00 |
| Sunderland | Arsenal | - | 15:00 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | Newcastle United | - | 17:30 |
| Sun Feb 12th | |||
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | West Bromwich Albion | - | 13:30 |
| Aston Villa | Manchester City | - | 16:00 |
Tables
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City | 24 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 44 | 57 |
| Manchester United | 24 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 35 | 55 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 24 | 15 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 50 |
| Chelsea | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 43 |
| Newcastle United | 24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 42 |
| Arsenal | 24 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 40 |
| Liverpool | 24 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 7 | 39 |
| Sunderland | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 33 |
| Norwich City | 24 | 8 | 8 | 8 | -5 | 32 |
| Swansea City | 24 | 7 | 9 | 8 | -3 | 30 |
| Everton | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | -3 | 30 |
| Stoke City | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | -13 | 30 |
| Aston Villa | 24 | 6 | 10 | 8 | -4 | 28 |
| Fulham | 24 | 6 | 9 | 9 | -6 | 27 |
| West Bromwich Albion | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | -10 | 26 |
| Queens Park Rangers | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | -16 | 21 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 24 | 5 | 6 | 13 | -17 | 21 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 24 | 6 | 2 | 16 | -21 | 20 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 24 | 4 | 6 | 14 | -20 | 18 |
| Wigan Athletic | 24 | 3 | 7 | 14 | -28 | 16 |
Related Stories
-
Feb 05 PREMIER LEAGUE: Man Utd stage remarkable comeback at Chelsea to snatch a point
-
Feb 05 Man Utd boss Ferguson: De Gea won't repeat Liverpool errors
-
Feb 04 Man Utd boss Ferguson wanted Ferdinand to shake Terry's hand
-
Feb 03 Man Utd boss Ferguson to speak with Ferdinand about Chelsea handshake
-
Jan 17 Ferdinand welcomes Scholes and Henry back into the Premiership fold
Popular Stories
-
Feb 10 Arsenal encouraged in pursuit of Chelsea attacker Sturridge
-
Feb 10 CHELSEA SHOCKER: Capello shadow looms large over AVB
-
Feb 10 Man Utd boss Ferguson explains snapping up Man City kid Veseli
-
Feb 09 Barcelona to include gun trio in bid for Arsenal captain Van Persie
-
Feb 10 Benfica announce Man Utd, Man City target Gaitan will be sold
Comments (3)
Fairplay is something the FA does not believing in practising especially when it involves Manchester United. Haven't we seen it time and time again?
your spot on james
United will lose this appeal. I have no doubt they will. They are always singled out for harsher punishments because they are the most successful side this past decade. For example Rio's drug test.
Post new comment