The FA have published a statement on their website today, admitting their poor handling of the Patrice Evra case.
Whilst obviously not able to admit their report was totally flawed, they have been forced in to conceding that it was out of order to publish it on their website.
In a grovelling statement, following communication with David Gill, the FA admit that they fucked up, on several accounts.
The FA regrets that those involved in providing evidence at the hearing concerning Manchester United’s Patrice Evra’s charge were not verbally advised that their words would be publicised before, and after giving evidence
Additionally, The FA has also made clear it is regrettable that it did not extend the courtesy generally provided to clubs, to advise Manchester United – in advance – that the written findings from the disciplinary hearing of 4/5 December 2008, would be made public.
The FA acknowledges that it is has not been normal procedure for written findings to be published previously, and that there has only been a small number of cases when they have been.
The fact that they were on The FA’s official website on Monday 15 December, before Manchester United had notified The FA of their decision not to exercise their right to appeal against the four-match suspension imposed on Patrice Evra, has also been acknowledged by The FA.
The FA has made it clear it stands by the decision of the Independent Commission, and the decision to publish the written findings of the hearing, although in this case a summary may have been more appropriate, due to those who provided evidence not being made aware that they would be doing so publicly and also that individuals reputations have been publicly called into question through doing so.
In response, United have made it clear that they find it unacceptable that the good names of some of our members of staff had been damaged, whilst suggesting representatives of our club will not be quick to help the FA in further enquiries.
Manchester United welcomes The FA’s acknowledgement of its concerns over the handling of the publication of the recent disciplinary hearing findings.
While the Club’s view of the sentence handed to the player is well-known, on this separate issue, it has been concerned on two counts: the effect on the reputation of some of its most highly regarded and respected members of staff and the possible effect on the willingness of people to assist The FA in the future with its investigations.
The Club acknowledges the desirability of more transparency in the disciplinary process, but only on a consistent basis – both in publication and in verdict.
The Club accepts that there was no intention to harm the reputations of Michael Phelan, Richard Hartis and others, but feels that the episode has potentially created an atmosphere in which people in the game will be reluctant to volunteer information if they believe their careers may suffer as a result of helping The FA.
The staff involved have exemplary careers as professionals at the top of the game and Michael in particular has been associated with the Club for most of the last 20 years and in that time he has consistently demonstrated himself to be a man of the highest integrity.
to late for that shite.
fuck fifa and fuck the FA
The damage is done now.We can only look to the future.First of all,SAF has to straighten his players out so that they never put their fate in the hands of the FA again.Secondly,we have to win the title so that we force those ABUs at the FA to swallow their pride and come at Old Trafford in May and hand the trophy to Gary Neville
Can the FA be disbanded and something new formed? They make 2-3 completely shambolic decisions per day at this point.
I really wish our statement had been a bit more strongly worded. We honestly don’t think the FA intended to harm Phelan and Hartis’ reputations when they essentially called them liars with no basis? Should have been stronger.
It’s neither an admission of fucking *the whole thing* up (which I thought it was when I saw the title), nor is it even an apology for the publication of the report of a flawed investigation which tarnished highly respected professionals’ reputations. What it is, is an ‘apology’ for not having sent out the legally requisite documents making United aware that they were going to publish the findings – they probably think it’s the final way of covering their smug arses from lawsuits. Cunts.
It’s too fuckin’ late in any case. I just hope this is going up on the pinboard in the United dressing room, that’s all.
“it has been concerned on two counts: the effect on the reputation of some of its most highly regarded and respected members of staff and the possible effect on the willingness of people to assist The FA in the future with its investigations.”
Ryan, EastStand Manc: I think that this is hardly a veiled (or soft) rejoinder; basically, it states that “the effect on the reputation” is dangerously close to character assassination. And, therefore, the rejoinder also says – in legalese – you can bet that it will be a frosty day in the Sahara before you can expect UTD to “assist” you again. Or, as my father-in-law might have said: “Fuck you, very much.”
A I said before….. FA > CUNTS…..
wonder how long the rentboy Terry will get banned for …probably get it rescinded the fucking crybaby twat
The end result is that Paddy gets a four game ban for something which was not proved conclusively whereas tackles such as Terry’s or Pogotetz’ for example, get less.
United mentioned consistency – but where is the consistency in penalties imposed ?
Also, if the FA maintain that there is no anti-United bias, why has nobody asked them the simple question about the discrepancies in punishments meted out to our players vis-a-vis those of other clubs, for similar or identical infringements ?
No agenda against united MY ARSE!!!
They must think we are stupid.
The only apology that means FUCK ALL to me is the recinding of Evra’s ban immediatly and a fine of 50 thousand pounds to the fa payable to an anti racism charity the lying two faced dogs.
That would be soft.
Personally someones J>O>B should be on the chopping block for this unproffesional stuff up.
The sad truth is that we simply have come to expect this sort of unproffesional behaviour from the F>A>
Manchester United must renegotiate its own tv deal. Then we will see how it feels when the kicking boot is on the other foot.
They can apologise all they want.The day that they banned Rio for 8 months and in my view cost us a successful Premiership title defense,was the day that my respect for them ended.They dragged the coaching stuff’s names into the dirt and now they are sorry?Evra got a 4 game ban.Does anyone remember what bans were inflicted on every Arsenal player that bullied Ruud?It can’t have been more than 3 games.It’s like i said before.Winning this season’s title and equaling Liverpool’s record is the best way to stick it to them.
1. they didnt inform our guys they would publish this shit
2. they didnt give us a chance to appeal if we wanted cos they published it.
3. they didnt inform the club that it could be published…like all clubs should.
4. they should have provided a summary..when our guys didnt know
5. they dont normally publish stuff like this from other clubs…so made us a scapegoat
On all 5 counts guilty as sin. How could you make a mistake on 5 counts….1 ok, 2 ok…but 5. You just dont. This was done deliberately. TRIESSMAN ” i have no sense from anybody inside the Fa that anybody has got it in for man utd”
Yes dickhead the 5 counts above prove you do…calling into question the integrity of our club, our player and our staff. You made us a scapegoat and hung us out to dry.
Well FUCK YOU FA………………..FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCKIN YOU