05-02-2010, 02:02 PM
Looking like they will appeal.
United confident over Rio
Red Devils to cite Mascherano example
Manchester United will cite the example of Javier Mascherano when they attempt to prove Rio Ferdinand did not lodge a "frivolous" appeal against his three-match ban last week.
The FA originally charged the defender with violent conduct after he struck Craig Fagan in the 4-0 victory over Hull on 23rd January.
The fact Ferdinand chose to appeal the decision meant he was eligible to play in the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg victory over Manchester City - a move which saw the game's governing body add an extra match onto his original suspension.
United, however, believe the 31-year-old has a good case of success next Monday as Mascherano was cleared of a similar swipe on Jermaine Beckford when Liverpool faced Leeds in the League Cup last September.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The concern is the word frivolous.
"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."
United confident over Rio
Red Devils to cite Mascherano example
Manchester United will cite the example of Javier Mascherano when they attempt to prove Rio Ferdinand did not lodge a "frivolous" appeal against his three-match ban last week.
The FA originally charged the defender with violent conduct after he struck Craig Fagan in the 4-0 victory over Hull on 23rd January.
The fact Ferdinand chose to appeal the decision meant he was eligible to play in the Carling Cup semi-final second-leg victory over Manchester City - a move which saw the game's governing body add an extra match onto his original suspension.
United, however, believe the 31-year-old has a good case of success next Monday as Mascherano was cleared of a similar swipe on Jermaine Beckford when Liverpool faced Leeds in the League Cup last September.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "The concern is the word frivolous.
"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."