newspaper and has backed him throughout this affair:
‘As Manchester United’s lawyer Maurice Watkins announced on
Friday evening there would be an immediate appeal against
the eight-month ban, Ferdinand stared vacantly ahead.
‘But inside his scrambled brain, you knew the one question
he was asking himself: How the hell did it come to this?
‘Because, Rio, you went against your gut instinct and
allowed your club to talk you into attempting a defence of
the indefensible.
‘Ferdinand’s own judgment on himself was to take whatever
punishment the FA were to hand out as soon as possible and
return in time to play for England at Euro 2004.
‘When he finally realised the FA meant business, it was too
late.
‘Instead, he was browbeaten into conforming to the general
Old Trafford policy of fighting every perceived slight —
especially when it came via the FA, the authority United
want removed from administering the national game in favour
of a Premiership-run body that leading clubs will control.’
Hmmmmmm, you’re either with us or not Rio. If it is assumed
that his ‘official paper’ wouldn’t misrepresent his thoughts
on this matter, does anyone feel ready to stick up for the
person described above?