Rio Ferdinand

[Solly]

And don't forget he both Cantona and Ferdinand are much higher profile footballer than either Carragher or Negouia (sp?), which goes back to the last point

Exactly.

And there is no harmonisation yet between countries' footballing rules, so FIFA haven't got the power to stand in in the way they have.

[Snotty]

Its not a matter of conscience, its the scale of the offense. Flying kicking someone for gods sake!

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
so FIFA haven't got the power to stand in in the way they have.

It would appear they have, deciding who gets to host World Cups etc. is a pretty potent weapon

[C0ckney]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
Rumours that Fergie is planning to with draw his English players from the national side. Butt, Scholes, G Neville, P Neville, Ferdinand...

that would be such a joke if he did, not going to help anything except perhaps fergie's ego

i think it's a bit harsh, but like reds said the FA have to be seen to take this drug testing business very seriously and because ferdinand is a household name this is especially true.

[MikeH]

The reason it's so much harsher than last year is that the new FA chief wants to be really hard on misbehaving players.

This is the first time for many years that the loss of the ManU players from the England side could be covered relatively comfortably. Although we'd miss Gary Neville.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by MikeH

This is the first time for many years that the loss of the ManU players from the England side could be covered relatively comfortably.

...here we go.......

(pulls up a ringside seat and opens popcorn)

[C0ckney]

well we've always got danny mills, but i think we would miss scholes more than anyone.

[alva]

Yeah, I was going to say, missing the Neville Brothers might be a blessing in disguise, you 'dd miss both Scoles and Butt though, especially in a 2 week tournament.

[MikeH]

Scholes has been crap for England recently. The Chelsea boys can take over. Joe Cole or Lampard in midfield with Gerrard and Becks. Sweet. Maybe play Rooney in the cheating position.

[MikeH]

We've got good central midfielders coming out of our ears.

[reds4ever]

Joe Cole is VERY unproven at that level and I think Lampard flatters to decieve in that Chelsea side

[alva]

Less so on the left field I gather...

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by MikeH
Maybe play Rooney in the cheating position.

He'd have to go some to cheat better than Frannie Jeffers

[Solly]

Don't rate Cole or Lampard. Never have. Over-rated by southern-based journalists, now starting to latch on to Parker.

How long do we think Ferdinand will really be banned for? I can't see this ban staying as long as eight months..

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Park Avenue

How long do we think Ferdinand will really be banned for? I can't see this ban staying as long as eight months..

It won't drop enough for him to get to Portugal, so whats that? 6.5 months?