Ferdinand face ban and fine
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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. He faces being charged with gross misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute, while United could also face charges of failing to control their players.
The scandal may also count against his candidacy for the England skipper’s job. Just as damaging, he would be ruled out of the Wembley friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20. That match will see Three Lions boss Fabio Capello name his captain for the World Cup qualifying campaign.
A domestic ban would exclude Ferdinand from being picked for the squad. That would effectively dump him out of contention, even though he has led the team twice before.
Chelsea skipper John Terry and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard would then go head-to-head to win the armband. United’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea took the title race to the wire, though the Reds went on to retain their Premier League crown.
The FA are still investigating the aftermath of the match which saw six United players get in a fight with Chelsea ground staff during a warm-down. SunSport understands the Blues have provided a substantial amount of evidence — including CCTV footage — to Soho Square.
And Ferdinand has actually admitted kicking Wray by accident.