Rio Ferdinand

[Solly]

It wouldn't surprise me if the ban is reduced quite severely, not just by a couple of months.

But then again, it depends on the altruism of those concerned with MUFC.

[C0ckney]

lampard is a quality player, but i'd still rather have scholes for his experience in that position. apart from that if we could bribe ryan gigs or damien duff to play for england then we'd have a perfect midfield.

[CerberusIV]

Step 1 - FA appeals procedure.

Step 2 - Judicial review in the High Court of the FA's disciplinary procedures and whether they caried out a fair and impartial process.

Step 3 - European court.

This has a long way to run.

After the fuss made by the England players before the Turkey match this smacks of the silly old farts at the FA trying to assert themselves. I hope they are forced to reduce the ban and that they are thoroughly humiliated in the process.

[MikeH]

Originally posted by reds4ever
Joe Cole is VERY unproven at that level and I think Lampard flatters to decieve in that Chelsea side

Last season (before the money) he was great all year and this season he's been spectacular. Even more importantly he's also been playing well in the national side when he's been getting a game.

He's also been amazing in the Champions league. Even with all those world class players around him he's still the best and most consistent player in that Chelsea team. He runs the show.

You are right about Joe Cole but he's getting better and better now he's playing regularly. Give him another couple of years he's still very young.

Parker is totally unproven, he does look good. Have to see him in the Champions league before we can really tell though.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by MikeH


Last season (before the money) he was great all year and this season he's been spectacular. Even more importantly he's also been playing well in the national side when he's been getting a game.

He's also been amazing in the Champions league. Even with all those world class players around him he's still the best and most consistent player in that Chelsea team. He runs the show.

I can't get past comparing him with Jamie Redknapp when he was at Liverpool, in that when he (and the team) plays well, he looks great, but on bad days he tends to 'go missing'

[Solly]

Cerberus, once the FA appeals procedure has been through, at what size of the ban do you think that Man Utd will stop appealing? Will they be happy at it being three months, or do you think at that level they will appeal further and higher up?

By the way, heard something about FIFA having a clause for all members saying civil courts mustn't be referred to - not that it stops United/Ferdinand from doing so, but it puts them and England in a precarious wrt Champions League and Euro 2004 respectively.

One thing is for sure, it's a very interesting case.

Another thing is that the ****** going on about athletics or swimming can piss right off - this is football, not some woofter sport.

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
By the way, heard something about FIFA having a clause for all members saying civil courts mustn't be referred to - not that it stops United/Ferdinand from doing so, but it puts them and England in a precarious wrt Champions League and Euro 2004 respectively.

That was in the papers today, I don't know if it's true but didn't Bosman go through the courts for his case (Human rights, if memory serves)?

By the same token, if United/England want to play it that way, whats to stop FIFA/UEFA not allowing them/us in any of their competitions?

BTW. I did a little digging and the City player had permission to leave the training ground from the drug testers to go pick his mum up from the airport, the flight was delayed and he missed the test (all above board apparently)

[reds4ever]

..and forget Ferdinand going to Euro 04, theres NO WAY that will happen, the FA would be a laughing stock

[Solly]

I did a little digging and the City player had permission to leave the training ground from the drug testers to go pick his mum up from the airport

I wonder if the FA demanded evidence of the flight tickets.

[Drake Tungsten]

Sepp Blatter is a ****ing *****.

[Solly]

He's been anti-England ever since we voted aginst him.

[Drake Tungsten]

Even I hate the corrupt bastard, and I'm American.

[Kropotkin]

The time when you claimed that coines throwed by Liverpool FC-players travelled faster than bullets is a unforgetable classic.

As for the issue at hand; if the case with the City player is in fact the same as this one there's a good reason for an appeal. 'The boy with many names' is biased as hell and your statement that the FA always (more or less) is out to get United players ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. However, that's no reason for the english FA to at least try pretend that there's some kind of consisency in their rulings. On the other hand, the FA can after all change their policy over time. The attempts to stop doping in sports seems to be becoming serious for once (not that it's really going to last or make any difference imho).

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Park Avenue
He's been anti-England ever since we voted aginst him.

Was it the Daily Mail that exposed all the bribes and vote rigging? How the hell he got elected AFTER that I'll never know?

[reds4ever]

Originally posted by Kropotkin
T

As for the issue at hand; if the case with the City player is in fact the same as this one there's a good reason for an appeal.

see my post above, the city player apperently had permission