Post by Scott on May 4, 2006 12:01:53 GMT
From Sky Sports:
Gary Neville has spoken out against the Football Association after accusing English football's ruling body of setting a 'dangerous precedent'.
The Manchester United captain was left livid after The FA upheld the £5,000 fine meted out to him for improper conduct, as they failed to meet their own deadlines in responding to his appeal.
Neville was brought to book for what The FA perceived to be improper celebrations in United's game against Liverpool earlier in the season, when the England man ran a considerable distance to share his glee with the away following at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old lodged an appeal but The FA failed to respond within their own 21-day limit and now Neville, a representative for the Professional Footballers' Association, has been left far from amused with their professionalism and conduct.
"During the commission, the appeals board and the FA's own representatives accepted that the FA had failed to meet their own deadlines but decided to carry on with the hearing as normal," Neville said in The Times.
"As far as I'm concerned, that sets a dangerous precedent.
"If the FA, who base themselves on transparency and fairness, do not suffer any consequence for failing to abide by their own rules, then I can only assume that players will be treated the same way in future.
"I will expect the FA to be fully understanding when players miss deadlines, whether they are for drugs tests or their own appeals."
The FA are just a joke. They throw their weight around, yet cant even keep up with the rules they set themselves! Wankers
Gary Neville has spoken out against the Football Association after accusing English football's ruling body of setting a 'dangerous precedent'.
The Manchester United captain was left livid after The FA upheld the £5,000 fine meted out to him for improper conduct, as they failed to meet their own deadlines in responding to his appeal.
Neville was brought to book for what The FA perceived to be improper celebrations in United's game against Liverpool earlier in the season, when the England man ran a considerable distance to share his glee with the away following at Old Trafford.
The 31-year-old lodged an appeal but The FA failed to respond within their own 21-day limit and now Neville, a representative for the Professional Footballers' Association, has been left far from amused with their professionalism and conduct.
"During the commission, the appeals board and the FA's own representatives accepted that the FA had failed to meet their own deadlines but decided to carry on with the hearing as normal," Neville said in The Times.
"As far as I'm concerned, that sets a dangerous precedent.
"If the FA, who base themselves on transparency and fairness, do not suffer any consequence for failing to abide by their own rules, then I can only assume that players will be treated the same way in future.
"I will expect the FA to be fully understanding when players miss deadlines, whether they are for drugs tests or their own appeals."
The FA are just a joke. They throw their weight around, yet cant even keep up with the rules they set themselves! Wankers
