Sir Alex astonished at Evra punishment
Ferguson feels the four-game ban and £15,000 fine Evra received is excessive
Also In The News
|
Goals from Ledley King and a late Jamie O'Hara strike gave Tottenham a 2-0 derby win over West Ham at Upton Park. |  |
Tuesday, 09, Dec 2008 07:43
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed his astonishment at the punishment handed down to Patrice Evra following the altercation with Chelsea groundstaff following last season's game at Stamford Bridge.
The full-back received a four-game ban and was fined £15,000 by the Football Association who found him guilty of improper conduct, a punishment Ferguson feels is one of the biggest ever handed out during his time at Manchester United.
"Of all the things the FA have done to us down the years that was one of their biggest," Ferguson said.
"I couldn't believe it. You could never tell what these people are doing."
"Even if I was sitting having breakfast with them I would not know what they were thinking.
Evra will miss United's Premier League games against Stoke and Middlesbrough, the FA Cup third-round tie against Southampton and Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Derby.
The 27-year-old Frenchman is also out of Saturday's trip to Tottenham because of a suspension picked up for receiving five yellow cards this season. Ironically Evra's return to action could be when Chelsea visit Old Trafford on January 11.
The United boss also hinted the club may appeal the ban in the coming weeks.
"We are still waiting for the written reasons to be delivered to (United chief executive) David Gill so we cannot really comment on what our next step will be."
The incident occurred while Evra and his team-mates were asked to move while warming down after last season's 2-1 league defeat at Chelsea.
Photographs showed Evra and Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell exchanging blows but the FA said charges that Bethell had used racially abusive language towards Evra after the match could not be proven.
Chelsea were fined £25,000 for failing to ensure an employee conducted himself in an orderly fashion.