FA charges Ferdinand with violent conduct
The Football Association has charged Rio Ferdinand with violent conduct after the defender’s clash with Hull City’s Craig Fagan at the weekend. Ferdinand, appearing in his first Manchester United match since 25 October, will serve a three match ban, with the FA acting as prosecutor, judge and jury in disciplinary cases.
Ferdinand, 30, has appeared just nine times this season while undergoing a comprehensive rehabilitation programme to cure a long-term back problem. However, the defender appeared to swing an arm at Hull’s Fagan during a tussle in the United area during the match, which the home side won 4-0.
The charge will be heard on 28 January, with Ferdinand likely to miss United’s matches against Arsenal, Portsmouth and Aston Villa after the decision is made.
However, the FA once again stands accused of hypocrisy by charging a United player with an offence when the governing body missed earlier incidents. Compare Ferdinand’s challenge to that of Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, below.
Rio Ferdinand versus Hull City
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Javier Mascherano versus Leeds United (47 seconds)