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."

 
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