RIO 'NIXON' FERDINAND'S B*LLSH*T EXPOSED AGAIN

With (obviously untrue and unfounded) allegations that the original meeting WAS pre-arranged being investigated in some quarters too, this story could yet run and run. From today's Mirror:

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon are seen in a London restaurant together for a second time. On the same night they had an earlier "brief hello" that led to tap-up claims.

Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon - involved in tapping-up claims after an "accidental" meeting in a restaurant - spent up to three hours together that night.

It included a long get-together at a SECOND restaurant, after what was claimed to be a brief meeting at another eaterie.

At the second venue, the pair - in a party of five - changed places at one point to sit next to each other and have a serious talk.

The footballer's agent Pini Zahavi was also present at the Greek restaurant, where the group smashed plates in traditional style in appreciation of a belly dancer and singer.

The revelation blows a hole in Manchester United star Ferdinand's claim that his encounter with Kenyon was a "brief hello" and Chelsea's insistence that it was a "chance meeting in a public place".

Ferdinand, who helped United into the FA Cup final yesterday, is discussing a contract extension with the club and wants his £70,000 a week salary increased to about £100,000. On Saturday April 9, Ferdinand had driven to London after United's 2-0 defeat at Norwich.

He and Chelsea chief executive Kenyon, 51, met at the Carpaccio Italian restaurant near the London club's Stamford Bridge base.

Ferdinand, 26, said later of Kenyon: "I went to meet my agent and he was there. It's the truth. We said a brief hello and did not discuss football. I've no intention of leaving United."

Chelsea said: "This was a chance meeting in a public place...we've made it clear to United that we have no interest in signing Ferdinand."

Kenyon and Ferdinand left Carpaccio at different times.

The two men with Zahavi arrived together at the Elysee Greek restaurant, off Tottenham Court Road.

Co-owner Ulysses Karageorgis, 72, said that at first Ferdinand and Kenyon were one place apart at the table.

"Later they changed places. For a while Rio sat next to Kenyon and chatted together, sometimes joking, sometimes seriously.

"About 2am Ferdinand's chauffeur came and he left alone. He had drunk champagne but he wasn't drunk.

"Then Mr Zahavi ordered a taxi for the others."

All parties insisted after news of the Carpaccio meeting emerged that football was not discussed, nor was a transfer.