Dec 06
Evra’s Ban Smacks of Inconsistency | Sunderland Preview
I am aware of our game against Sunderland today, but the Evra ban had me seething. It’s not that I’m a fan of conspiracy theories (for the record, I am not), but a four match ban for the player was very confusing to say the least. Let my first quote the FA’s statement from the website: [you could read the whole statement -- including the reasons for slapping the ban on Evra -- but I'll quote the part of most interest]
The Commission considered this was an incident of violent behaviour by Mr Evra which was therefore punished by a suspension for four first team matches as from Monday 22 December 2008 and imposed a fine of £15,000 on Mr Evra.The Regulatory Commission found two charges against Chelsea FC both proved. On the first charge the Commission found that during the course of the same incidents connected with the warm down by Manchester United FC players, Chelsea FC’s employee, Mr Sam Bethell, had conducted himself in a disorderly fashion and that his conduct and language had been abusive and provocative.
An allegation that Mr Bethell had engaged in racist conduct or language was not proved. Accordingly, so far as the charge against Chelsea FC was based on its alleged responsibility for such racist conduct and language by Mr Bethell, the charge against the club was not proved.
Now quite how the FA could prove that Bethell acted in an abusive manner that was not racist in nature is beyond me. If they could prove for sure that his manner and language was abusive, then they would surely know what the contents of his abusive remarks might have been. And if so, then it would have been fairly straightforward to conclusively determine if said abusive remarks were racist or not. However, they could determine that Bethell abused Evra but weren’t sure if the abuse constituted anything racist.
I don’t buy it.
And a four game ban? Just when an entire club (Liverpool), fans and players are showing solidarity towards Mark Shields, a Liverpool fan, who is currently in an English prison after being convicted by Bulgarian courts for cracking a Bulgarian waiter’s skull. He is awaiting trial after having appealed, and he may for all purposes be innocent — reports indicate that he may be. But when Tim Cahill showed solidarity to his imprisoned brother he was forced to apologise. I can rattle off other instances of inconsistency but I wouldn’t want to waste my time, and Scott has done a better job of it anyway.
Right. Back to the small matter of a game today. Sunderland at home, it is. It’s likely that Scholes will sit out this one and it could likely mean the form midfielders — Carrick and Fletcher — will be paired in midfield. At least that’s what I would do. But with Fergie these days, you never know. Up front is more interesting, but I think Berbatov will start, leaving either of Rooney or Tevez to partner him. Ronaldo and Nani would be on the wings. With Evra’s suspension O’Shea would get a run out in left back. EDIT: Evra should play because the ban takes effect from 22nd December. Familiar faces, in EVDS, Rio and Vida will be in front of goal, while right back will be a toss up. I’d want Rafael with it being a home game against a seemingly rudderless Sunderland. But, as I said, with Fergie these days…
The Evra suspension has still got me agitated, so I’ll keep the preview short. Predictions: 2-0 to United.
Related items from Red Rants:
- John Terry, AIG and Fergie’s Rant on Hackett
- Worry over Rooney and Vida | Evra’s Abuse | Curbs Plans Weak Squad
- FA charge Ferguson over conduct
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Preview: Reds vs FC Ireland (a.k.a Roy Keane’s Sunderland)
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
evras 4 match ban starts on thte 22nd, evras 5 yellow card ban starts at spurs, so evra should play today.
this evra business has really ruffled my feathers. The groundsman MUST of said something to warrant evra beating the shit out of him!
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can u imagine, 4 games!!? from an incident after a gamE!?
What kind of evidence are they looking for to prove racial abuse, gary Neville and a couple of boys were there stating what they heard.
You cant go searching for definate, hard evidenc3e of racial abuse as 99% of the time it is merely verbal. said one minute, forgotten the next. unless you are serious bout tackling these issues its too easy to presume it didnt actually take place!stupid cunts
RR- i too am rilled to say the least bout the outcome, outragous
soue it will be ok but im slightly wary of sunderland today for some reason, hope im wrong
VDS
RAFA RIO VIDIC EVRA
CARRICK FLETCHER
ANDERSON
bERBA ROON TEVEZ
i really want nani t get a run of games but it just seems hard to find space for him at the mo?
gd luck lads
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Regarding Evra I have believe and hope that the ban will be reduced after the appeal.
My prediction? An early goal would provide us with the platform to run riot and a comfortable 4-0 win against this dispirited side. However, without that early goal it will be as always, the lesser team parks the bus and works their socks off.
So here’s to an early goal, go Reds!
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I cant believe it! The FA should be called the ABUFA. Fook them! No-consistency, just a buncho of Shitty, Rent-boys, gooners and scousers in there.
I just wanna smack their head of piss on it on world television. Screw them. 
And Evra will lose the game against Stoke, Boro, Soton and the first CC semi final. And he will lose the game against Spurs in two weeks time because of the 5 yellow cards, 7 day rule. Screw them!
Well Ronaldo is back. Good news. Tevez played brilliantly on Wednesday, as did Anderson. I hope they both start this game and show that they are willing to fight for the first-11 spot. All the best wishes to you. EVDS should be back in goal after Foster played the last game, Neville should hopefully not be back in the starting team as his performance was horrible against Rovers. Adn since he came back from inury, they havent been up to standard they either… I wish Rafael will play another game, Rio, Vidic and Evra in defense. Solid back 4 for me! Fletcher has problems with a hamstring so if I was Fergie I wouldnt risk him. With Japan, FA cup and the Christmas period coming up, I would like to have Fletch as an option. So Carrick should play, with Ronaldo, Anderson and hopefully Nani next to him. Tevez deserves another game after his heroics against Blackburn, and Rooney deserves andother game after hitting form against Shitty last weekend, so theose two up front. Still, I am pretty sure Berba will play there. But who knows?
My team:
VDS
Rafael Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Anderson Nani
Rooney Tevez
predicion: 5-0 to United. Ronaldo(2), Carrick, Rooney and Tevez to score. I know this may be brutal, but our last games at Old Traffor in perspective(5-0 vs Stoke, 5-3 vs Blacburn) and Sunderlands poor form and no motivation after Keano left them, Unintes should win this confortably.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
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Eddy Im guessing it is an FA ban so he won’t miss the Champions League Semis. But still four league games is a big deal especially as O’Shea is the only cover we have on the left and Evra is so integral to our attacking play.
Actually I believe I heard somewhere Evans can play on the left. Does anyone know if this is correct?
Sunderland will put up a fight because of the whole “just lost our boss” effect. But I think we will be strong enough to win convincingly.
If SAF does not start Tevez then Im going to be seriously pissed off. I’ve always had this suspicion that SAF indulges in favouritism. Let’s look at the big picture. Right now our struggle is scoring goals. Tevez just scored four against a Premier League side. You can blame the Carling cup but we had a weakened team and Blackburn were almost full strength.
If Tevez can use the Blackburn game to go on a scoring spree…as confidence players often do….we should give him some games to see if that will happen.
I know everyone is in love with Berbatov and I also admire his creativity and intelligent link up play. But the Berb isn’t scoring in the EPL despite playing almost every match. You could say the same about Rooney but he had a stormer against City. It is time to reward form. If Tevez plays crap first half we can drag him off and put Berba on. But I think to keep Tevez sweet he deserves to start based on midweek
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http://www.goal.com/en/news/1707/inter/2008/12/06/998832/andersons-ferguson-bombshell-i-want-to-play-for-mourinho-at-inte
say what~
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We’ve got Derby in the semis of the Carling Cup, so Spurs or Burnley in the final!!
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http://thechelseablog.wordpress.com/
Even the Chelsea supporters seem to think that this decision was biased. FA – Cunts. Cant nobody do anything about it?
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@realred: wat bout ronnie?
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@colver: “Eddy Im guessing it is an FA ban so he won’t miss the Champions League Semis.” i think he ment carling cup, not champions league?
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Just when I thought I couldn’t hold the FA with anymore disregard, they go ahead and drop this bombshell!!!
What a freakin joke!! 
I’m inclined to say there might be corruption and bribery going on behind closed doors. We all know Chelsea is the FA’s favorite club, but on this situation where the outcome to every neutral was so obvious, they have found a way to favor Chelski. This reaks of manipulation and subornation and it might not surprise me if it’s the truth (no pun intended)
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@ROOOONEY: i would not read to much into this, a lot of players say they would like to go here and there all the time and never do in the end, even fabregas and torres said they would like to play in the seria A recently, plus goal.com have a history of bad journalism, so take everything they say with a pinch of salt
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Seems to me that our Latin players are soft sods. The minute they are not playing, suddenly they want to rock the boat and make proclamations about moving to Spain or Italy. Non of them are feckin irreplaceable to be honest, and only Ronnie has made a really supreme contribution to our play and trophy winning. Latin’s are truly proper little Mama’s boys, don’t believe in fighting for their place. Feck them.
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@Craig Mc: wow, all this comin from Nani’s biggest fan??
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@antsBoy: Yeah it is ironic isn’t it Ants boy
. I love Nani, but I couldn’t put my hand on heart and say he has made a massive contribution as Ronnie, but he did do ok last season, with assists and few good goals. This season he hasn’t really had a run of games to show either way. However Ants boy, I am sick and tired of reading now in the paps the Latin players saying they want to play elsewhere. My patience wears thin 
.
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@Craig Mc: lets hope he plays today, i swear to god if i see park start over nani today i will be pissed
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@Craig Mc: Finally somebody hits the nail on the head. They are old enough to take care of themselves. I don’t know why we buy these players because there are nations in eastern Europe and some places in South America where teams see United as the pinnacle of the sport. I don’t know if that picture of Rafael and Fabio wearing united jerseys was taken before they signed for us or not but I know Tevez once showed up to a press conference for Boca. These are the Latin players that should be signed, not Portuguese players who have been poisoned by Real Madrid and Barcelona. That said it’s probably bullshit about Anderson. Maybe he just wants Mourinho to be our next manager. Disjointed rant over
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That was meant to be Tevez showed up to a Boca press conference in a United jersey
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@Mr.Muhozi: Have to be honest Mr Muhozi mate, and say Park had a fantastic game for us against Shitty bedouins. He ran his arse off, and was onto Shitties players every time they got the ball. Very good hassling from him that match. I think he is so much better at defending than Little Man Nani, but I would like to see Nani today, I don’t think he will be playing though. I have a feeling Fergie is going to try playing Berba, Tev and Rooney together again
.
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@Liam: Don’t you think the latin players have been doing too much whining to the paps over most of this pre and now season?. Ronnie bringing up Italy and Arsenal, Nani English weather is too cold and it hurts my play – wants to play in Spain, and Tev mentioning his dream to play for Real, and now Anderson. I’m feckin becoming tired of it, and no smoke without fire Liam mate eh?
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what time is kick off b y the way?
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@Craig Mc: I reckon Fergie should stick with the Roovez and give Berba a full game in the CL against Aalborg on wednesday. Stikers thrive on form and our two in-form strikers are Roonay and Tevez, if Fergie drops one of them, especially Tevez, then I’ll have to question his man-management skills as that will only knock Tevez five-steps back after taking four steps forward(pun intended).
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@Gabriel: but berbatov is better for the team.
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@realred:
Kick off is at 17:30 GMT.
BTW:
Man Utd vs. Sunderland – Live stream
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@dan(u-ol): maybe… but we are playing at home and I believe the Roovez have the capable fire-power to threaten Sunderland or didn’t they have it last year? Are these not the same players that demolished teams last year? I’m not advocating that one striker is better than the other, but merely saying that Strikers perform on confidence and that comes from goals and the strikers which are high on that are Rooney and Tevez. Maybe Berbatov can make the team gel better, but the Roovez would definitely not make it worse, so why not play ‘em?
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Gabriel I completely agree. Roovez united. It costs very little to give Tevez a game ahead of Berbatov as regardless of our forward pairing I think we’ll win. But giving Tevez that vote of confidence will give him the right message: that if he takes his limited first team chances this season he will be rewarded with first team starts. That will give him the motivation to keep pushing for a first team place and stay committed to our cause. Otherwise he’ll just rot on the bench like he’d been doing before the Blackburn game.
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i know dunno how to take andersons comments, can only hope his “playing under Mourinho” statement is merely media hype.
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@ROOOONEY: I cant believe that!
Read it, but I cant believe that. Anybody knows what place that interview came from. I think(hope, ehh) that that was only some shit made up from Italy. If Im not wrong, this week many of our players have been linked to Inter. I heard Ronaldo was being chased by Inter, only for JOse to come out and say he wasnt interested in him. The Tevez only 12 hours after his Rovers heroics. Then Berbatov. Now Anderson? They have either gone mad or its just made up. This is gonna be a loooooong year! 
Started off with Ronaldo to Real, then that CRAZY transfer deadline-day with Berba and Robinho, then Ronnys work from the press(celebrating, sulking, winning) Rooneys unbelieveable October, loss to Arse weekend before they lost to Villa, Chelski lose 2 home games in 6, w win Manchester derby and chasing Liverpool(?!). WTF is going on this season? 
I think its gonna be great, but can my heart take it? 
I hope so… As long as its worth it. 
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@Craig Mc: didn’t evra and vida also complained in papers before
the papers never show you the WHOLE interview just the juiciest bits of it, plus they have the ability to skew everything, for example in the anderson interview it does not state what was asked, maybe anderson was asked what team would you like to play for other than united or something similar and same with manager unless it is a live interview or the whole interview i rarely believe news papers
on park, yes the little bugger can hassle players but i still do not believe nani should play under him, maybe park as a DMC would be a viable option for park because he can hassle well, but hes so light he gets barged of the ball so easily
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@Gabriel: I hope Roovez starts today. It will be important for Tevez to know that Fergie still believes in him and that he is willing to play Tevez when he plays well. If not, I will feel incredibly sorry for Carlito.
He is great and deserves more chances.
For the record, if Im not wrong Sunderland have played two of the top 4(Chelski and Liverpool) away from home, with a total of 9-0 in goal difference against them. Anybody wanna bet against me making it 14-0?
Team news? JB?
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So, Chelski lead 2-0 with 10 minutes left.
Arsenal are winning 1-0 against Wigan, but are having problems.
Liverpool are leading 2-1 at Eewood, hopefully Rovers can score another 2 in th last 10 as they did at Old Trafford.
Dunno if anybody has said this yet, but we face Derby County in the CC(Carling Cup, Colver. Not CL.) semis. That is the last game Evra is gonna sit out. Fabio anyone?
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Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney
Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Evans, Tevez
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GK: Van der Sar
RB: Rafael
CB: Rio
CB: Vidic
LB: Evra
RM: Ronaldo
)
CM: Carrick
CM: Fletcher
LM: Park(???? no Nani????
ST: Rooney
ST: Bebratov
subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Evans, Tevez(I feel sorry for him
)
United to win 5-0, Ronaldo(2), Carrick, Rooney and Berba to score.
COME ON YOU REDS!!!
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And Liverpool lead 3-1.
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@RedDevilEddy: i feel really sorry for tevez too.
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Tevez????
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Links please
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Tevez on the bench is a bit of a slap in the face… VERY wierd. For those of you wanting to watch this via sopcast, its on star sports, with english commentary.. number 6029
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Oh man no tevez, why not play all 4 of ronaldo, rooney, berbs and tevez. Come on fergie its against a sunderland side who have been playing piss poor, lost their manager and are just gonna park the bus in front of the goal. Man, this could make tevez loose his confidence again. Come on lets try out the fantastic 4 at least once. If we had all 4 on i think we could be scoring into double figures today lol. I still predict a win obviously, but this game could have just been perfect for the four to start. Oh well, lets score a couple of goals 2day none the less.
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errrgh hate the squad i feel sorry for tevez andy and nani especially carlitos
rafa in there is encouraging though
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Ferdinand vs Ferdinand IV BRING IT ON
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I think it’s the best and most fit squad (considering some players had played midweek). United would be stupid to take Sunderland lightly and “showboat” our fantastic four…I bet Fergie’s thinkin – get a 3-0 first half lead and then bring on Tevez and Nani for the fun to begin! Makes sense to me too.
Feel sorry for Tevez, but you can’t help it..this is a large squad, you can’t make everyone happy. Now if Fergie DOES NOT even bring on Carlitos as a sub, then i would be pissed!
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ronaldo vs bardsley
rafael vs bardsley, this has comedy all over it!
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http://atdhe.net/live-tv-1170.html
Setanta coverage. Works fine for me.
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Feel sorry 4 Tevez, Put him on Fergie!!
Radzio’s link is quite good btw
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this has been crap. Do Ronaldo and Berbatov have to lose the ball everytime they get it? This is a team that needs to be stretched and Tevez Rooney and Ronaldo showed last season that they are great at it. That said we should score soon no matter what because we are completely in control
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cant be4lieve we scored 5 midweek, whatever happened between then and now?
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Sunderland are playing like cowards!
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damn sund sucks
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This is a truly pathetic performance by the lads. If we cant score against these bunch of pansies, then we dont deserve to be champions. A lot of the blame must go to Fergie. why does he play a defensive 4-4- 2 at home to Sunderland? Why couldnt he have gone with the Fab 4?Ronnie has been crap so has Berba.
Fergie needs to put his ego aside and return to the formation of last season, even if it means benching berba
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