RIO Ferdinand owes Manchester United and their fans a huge debt, regardless of the outcome of his appeal hearing, which begins tomorrow.
The England defender cannot carry the can for a season that has failed to live up to the Reds' high expectations - but he is as guilty as anyone, and more than most.
And there are a lot of angry United fans out there who feel Ferdinand's decision to begin his ban pending his appeal was a cynical ploy to ensure his time was served at United's expense, and not that of England.
If the FA does fall into line with the kind of punishments handed out in Italy in recent years, and halve Ferdinand's suspension to four months, they will stink the place out.
They will lay themselves open to the charge that they wanted Ferdinand banned, but not badly enough to affect the national team's chances at Euro 2004.
Conversely, it is too much to ask that Ferdinand's ban be slashed to the point where he can take a meaningful part in the rest of United's season - that is, cutting it to two months, which would free him to play in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal on April 3.
Deserves
After all, Ferdinand's guilt is not in doubt - he DID miss the test, and deserves some form of punishment.
Perhaps the three-man panel's most prudent option, given the fact that Ferdinand has been harshly treated in comparison to other football cases, is to reduce the ban so it ends in the summer, after the European Championships.
That way, they cannot be accused of self-interest, they will have been seen to react to the obvious injustice of the case, and the player, his club and his country will get a clean slate for next season.
Sir Alex Ferguson has kept relatively quiet about the whole issue in public - his job, as he said last week, is to stop the other United players from feeling sorry for themselves over the affair.
But he has stated on several occasions that Ferdinand's decision to voluntarily begin his ban on January 20 was a critical point in United's season.
Ramifications
A glance at the record books underlines that assertion emphatically. In the 20 league games in which Ferdinand played prior to his ban, United conceded 14 goals, winning 15 and losing just two of those games.
Since his self-imposed ban, the Reds have let in 14 goals in just SIX league games, and have won two, drawn two and lost two - as well as crashing out of the Champions League.
Ferdinand had to work hard to gain the respect of many hard-core United fans in the first place - he had come from arch-rivals Leeds and there was a distinct coolness at first.
He had started to win everyone over by shoring up a previously untrustworthy United defence, forming a secure partnership with Mikael Silvestre, when the drugs test scandal hit.
His treatment by the FA had United fans flocking to his banner - this was a case of them and us. Overnight in December, Rio became a persecuted Red, end of story.
Handling
And there was a possibility that the ban could be postponed indefinitely by using the long-winded appeals procedure of the FA, and possible recourse to the Court for Arbitration in Sport. Feasibly, Ferdinand could put the ban off until the end of the season, and it would begin as England began their Euro 2004 campaign.
But he blew that new-found good will out of the water when he decided to begin his ban pending the appeal, in what many Reds saw as a cynical attempt to sacrifice United on the England altar.
That is never a good idea at Old Trafford, where many hard-core fans hold England and their fans in contempt - a long-held feeling that has been exacerbated by the treatment players like David Beckham and the Neville brothers have been handed while on international duty.
But when it was perceived that Ferdinand was favouring his FA persecutors above the club that had loyally stood by him, there was a fresh outburst of anger.
The club itself put out a terse statement saying it "respected" Ferdinand's decision and would continue to stand by him during the appeals procedure.
But on several occasions since, Sir Alex has singled out that decision as a crucial point in the season, he said as much on Friday, reflecting on the Champions League exit and the increasingly difficult task of pursuing Arsenal in the Premiership.
Some have taken the manager's displeasure a stage further, speculating that he is so incensed by Ferdinand's original memory lapse, and the path he has trod since, that the Londoner will be out on his ear in the summer.
Transfer?
Chelsea are said to be ready to swoop, Ferdinand is said to be keen on a move back to the capital, and United - so the rumour-mongers say - will look for a replacement who is Red first, international second.
Nothing would surprise United watchers. Sir Alex has always been ruthless when it comes to getting rid of players he felt were proving a liability regardless of their prowess on the pitch - ask Paul Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis, Jaap Stam and David Beckham.
It would be harsh to suggest that Ferdinand has reached that stage, and there are plenty of Reds giving him the benefit of the doubt.
But one thing is for sure, Ferdinand owes. It is United and their fans that have shown him loyalty, and the best way of repaying that is for him to play a part in what will be a critical season, starting in August.
Have your say on the consequence of Rio's ban to United and whether his appeal will prove successful
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No player should be criticised over his wish to play for his country. If Ferdinand would rather choose England over his club, that is admirable. The England team is important to us all.
If United fans don't like it then they should re assess their priorities.
I wouldn't be surpised if Ferdinand left in the summer - and I wouldn't care that much either. I've never liked him much and never been convinced of his commitment to the cause. Like Beckham before him, his priorities are England first, United second and that's just not good enough. The priority is for United to get the replacement in *first* and not make the same mistakes as last summer.
HE behaved in stupid manner ,and more like a CITY player than a red. at no time in Uniteds history has a player costing so much cost the club so dear. He should be sold to Portsmouth, where Harry can sort him out.
To accuse Rio of putting country before club is unfair for the simple reason that if he were to have commenced his ban on June 1st, he would've been forced to miss over half of next season. By not investing in a defender in January, Sir Alex had indicated that the squad would cope in Rio's absence. Given that, why would the player believe any differently? As a side issue, I'm sure that I wasn't the only Utd fan to rejoice when that buffoon Sepp Blatter saw his prized World Club Championship dismissed out of hand by the G14........
REAL UNITED FANS UNITE - GET BEHIND OUR BEAUTIFUL CLUB AND STOP WRITING CRAP ON THIS SITE - WE'RE NOT SCOUSERS !!!!
I wouldn't be suprised to see Rio at a new team next season. The talk is that Fergie is targeting Jorge Andrade of Deportivo, and Daniel Van Buyten. I've been watching spanish football for a few years, and this season Jorge Andrade has impressed me alot. He the leader and rock of their defence, exactly what we miss. Van Buyten has done really well since being in England. One thing we missed since letting Stam go is a solid strong center half, who knew the art of defending. You cannot have 4 defenders trying to learn how to defend, at the higheat level, together. Players like Jorge Andrade and Van Buten know how to defend, and can do it consistently. I think Rio will be given another chance considering the fight United have put up for him. In that case we should get Jorge Andrade to partner him. Put Silvestre left back, or buy a new one.
The fact is that Rio is and will be one of the best centre backs in the world. United deserves the best. Yes, he does owe United. What he owes is a great comeback so that we don't have to carry on with defencive woes. If there is no doubt that Rio was never on any form of drug, his suspension, in my opinion, is already enough. And based on that fact and that fact only, the board of appeals should take into consideration that Man.Utd. paid a huge price already. Hard core criminals are given parole. If there was reasonable doubt that Rio was taking any form of substance, then he should get the 2year ban and United would have no choice but to get rid of him. In 2 months the punishment was enough to devastate a great club. Isn't that enough?
What an appalling article. To call youself a journalist is a disgrace. To blame a player becuase he thinks about playing on the biggest stage in the world smells of bitterness. England are more important than Man Utd. The reason Man Utd fans don't care about anything other than Man Utd is that they don't really care about football.
First of all as a fan, I don't want to lose him. Look at our record with and with out him.
I was really surprised that Utd. and Ferdinand did not go through the objection process. So what if he was banned for a year in the summer, we would have bought a replacement, maybe two to cover him.
Going to Chelsea for Duff makes no sense. We know what Rio can do for us, Chelsea have already decided that Robben is a better bet than Duff who does appear to miss a lot of games.
It will be fun watching the revolving gate at Chelsea this year as players like Cole, Duff, Jimmy Floyd and Veron all head out the door. Maybe. And don't forget the manager as well.
OH Danny Glover - you are so bitter and twisted,why does City beating united 4-1 get to you so much? you are an embarrasment to the intelligent red fans who write on the site! you sad mam or should I say CHILD!
Anybody watching BECKHAM playing for Madrid last night, should have no doubt Fergie sold all the fans short, by selling him to Madrid. He was an inspiration, passing pin point balls all over the pitch, and scoring a wonder of a free kick.
AND TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY OUR COACH IS THIER MANAGER.
Why must it take two months before the appeal can be heard? In a sport where a week can make a team sliding from the first to the third place in the premiership, this is simply not good enough.
Yooo Hoooo, Garrrrrryyyy, where are you Garrrryyyy, we need your comments on the derby. This must now be close to a world record for a wall of silence from Manyoo's unoffical spokesman. Be a man(c) Chuckle and finish off a beutiful period for the boy blues.
oh c'mon, what are you lot worried about when you've got wes brown to cover for him and not to mention silvestre, i have to say that ball he cushioned into trevor sinclairs path on sunday was a delight to watch, reminded me of dennis bergkamp in his prime...............
never give up Rio! I'm always with you and your team.
Rio was just proving what a great defender he was after a difficult settling in period and the influence over the the rest of the defence was becoming more noticeable.It would be a retrograde step to even consider any offers from the likes of Chelsea who with Peter Kenyon looking to snatch any of our transfer targets.It would be gutting to see Rio getting the limelight playing for England no matter how patriotic I might feel at the time. All in all lets hope for a much reduced ban to allow Rio to play for the Reds this season
United are the richest club in the world: that, so much, is clear. With this in mind, it is stupid to keep blaming Rio for the present woes at OT. You cannot use Rio as a scapegoat for the current "crisis", with the financial resources available there should be plenty of quality cover in every department on the field. Secondly, I'm sick of this hostile attitude amongst Utd fans towards the England set up. Yes Utd pay the wages, but football is (or should) be about pride as well and representing your country should be the pinnacle of any footballer's career. Yet Beckham ultimately paid the price for such sentiments and now it appears a backlash against Rio is in motion for the same "crime".
simon yes he did some great pin point passes, pity none of them actually payed off. It was beckham that lost the ball in the middle of the field, leading to zaragovas winner. Still hes better than phil neville.
Simon Johnson just remind me again. What Altrincham was famous for apart from the famous or infamous court case, and your sub standard rail link. You are obviuosly bobbins for watching the Robbins Rio. As a United supporter I can give an opinion and for 30 million he is an Ass.
Watching Beckham was a joy last night, he has only improved since he left, those lazy wasters, 100% effort as always. He is a star and the reason why United cant get thier game going without him. Ask Van? they should have sold Fergie to the old folkes home and kept Becks.
In handing so much of the blame to Rio, we forget thay SAF and the club also had a part to play.
In particular, why was the matter not dealt with immediately? Why did the FA and everyone else get the impression that we were dragging our feet? Would he have had an 8 month ban if we'd fessed up immediately?
Let's stop seeing ourselves as alone against the world and grow up. We'd have more respect and greater credibility.
Yes the players for tests, should have been escorted personally by the coach at the end of training. Lets face it footballers don,t have a lot to think about.
If Rio WANTS to go to Chelsea Fergie won't stop him. Or rather i HOPE he won't stop him. We need a team committed to the cause, IF Rio isn't, he can go. City beat us last week because their effort and commitment all over the field was better than ours They out COMPETED us. We may have had gifted players over the years, but it was their work ethic on top of their ability that set us apart from other top teams. Only Keane and the Nevilles still seem to have this. Unfortuanately Keane is in the twighlight of his career and Phil Neville hasn't got the footballing ABILITY necessary at the top level. Gary Neville remains superb and in my view is a United LEGEND.
It beats me Wright Phillips did well against us, and last night scored two and at the end of the game, he said he wasn,t tired and that he could easily plat four games a week.Just shows we are like magic roundabout changing in the team for every match. That does not work. He is a good player we should swop Butt and Forlan for him. Then cop for Van Buyten.
Paul Robison and Ann Best - I note that neither of you have mentioned that Becks (whilst trying to go past two players in his own half)gave the ball away for the Zaragoza winning goal last night. He ain't that great is he?!?!