Ruling on Tevez ‘crazy’ says Ferguson

Man United boss Alex Ferguson is puzzled by reduction to Carlos Tevez’s fine although his focus is on game at Everton.

Alex Ferguson
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A ruling from the PFA resulted in Carlos Tevez’s fine being halved [GALLO/GETTY] 

The rule that forced Manchester City to halve the fine they imposed on striker Carlos Tevez is “a bit crazy”, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said on Friday.

After a disciplinary hearing Tevez was fined four weeks’ wages for committing five breaches of contract but it was
reduced on Thursday when City accepted a ruling by the players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).

The PFA backed the Argentine player’s assertion that he did not refuse to come on as a substitute in last month’s Champions League match at Bayern Munich but simply refused to again warm up and as such there was no justification for a fine other than the two-week maximum.

“I think it is a bit strange of course but the rules and regulations are there,” Ferguson, who has praised City boss Roberto Mancini’s handling of United’s former player, told a news conference.

“It is a fact that the maximum fine you can give a player is two weeks’ (wages). It seems a bit crazy in that particular situation but it’s there and there’s nothing you can do about it.”

United in recovery

However, Ferguson’s main priority will be restoring confidence to his side following last week’s thrashing by Manchester City.

United were stunned 6-1 by their neighbours and league leaders last weekend for their first defeat at Old Trafford for
18 months and go to Everton’s Goodison Park looking to put that behind them.

But Ferguson revealed on Friday that winger Ashley Young has picked up a toe injury and might be ruled out of the match.

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Winger Ashley Young is a doubt for the trip to Everton with a toe injury [GALLO/GETTY] 

United did return to winning ways with an expected and straightforward 3-0 win at League Two (fourth division) Aldershot in the League Cup midweek but are still feeling the sting of their first defeat of the season.

“It’s been a tough week for everyone, it was a bad result. We have to get over that, that’s the name of the game…So we
kick on,” said Ferguson.

“Hopefully we can recover from the disappointment of last week. It’s something we’ve done over the years well, we’ll have to do it again, nothing changes in football. 

“The challenge is always there to be the very, very best which we hope we can do now.”

Ferguson will decide later in the day whether Young will be fit for the trip, which defender Jonny Evans will miss following his red card against City.

“Ashley Young has got a toe injury. It’s nothing serious… hopefully we have a strong enough squad for tomorrow,” Ferguson said.

Source: News Agencies