Most of us will remember Chelsea’s 2-1 victory against Man United last season, with Michael Ballack’s late winner causing all sorts of mayhem. There were words of fury from Fergie and Queiroz, an on-pitch scuffle between Patrice Evra and a Stamford Bridge groundsman, while Rio Ferdinand threw his toys out of the pram in the tunnel and accidentally kicked a female steward.
The Sun are crowing about the latter today, claiming in their usually understated fashion that the Red Devils defender could miss the first four matches of the Premier League season, lose the England captain’s armband, see his girlfriend walk out on him, see him lose his job and find himself working on a fruit and veg stall in East Ham. OK, so the last three are exaggerations although that’s what happens when you buy into this particular tabloid’s sensationalism.
RIO FERDINAND’S moment of madness at Stamford Bridge last season could cost him the England captaincy.
Ferdinand, 30, faces a possible four-game ban and £200,000 fine for kicking a female Chelsea steward after the Battle of the Bridge in April.
SunSport can reveal FA chiefs have requested photos and witness statements from Blues staff about the incident, when the Manchester United defender kicked tunnel steward Tracy Wray.
She needed hospital treatment for severe bruising to her left thigh and belatedly received some flowers from him by way of an apology.
Disciplinary chiefs are due to examine the evidence and the United star could miss the start of the season with a ban.
Has this been blown out of all proportion? It seems as though Ferdinand’s ire wasn’t directed towards the young lady and that this was an accident. It also appears as though a four-match ban is unlikely, especially when you consider the team that you are penalising and the influence that they have at the top level. Still, it would make life interesting if the champions began their title defence without Ferdinand or Ronaldo.