RIO FERDINAND’S moment of madness at Stamford
Bridge last season could cost him the England captaincy. Ferdinand,
30, faces a possible four-game ban and £200,000 fine for kicking a
female Chelsea steward after the Battle of the Bridge in
April.
SunSport can reveal FA chiefs have requested photos and
witness statements from Blues staff about the incident, when the
Manchester United defender kicked tunnel steward Tracy Wray. She
needed hospital treatment for severe bruising to her left thigh and
belatedly received some flowers from him by way of an apology.
Disciplinary chiefs are due to examine the evidence and
the United star could miss the start of the season with a ban. He
faces being charged with gross misconduct and bringing the game
into disrepute, while United could also face charges of failing to
control their players.
The scandal may also count against his candidacy for
the England skipper’s job. Just as damaging, he would be ruled out
of the Wembley friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20. That
match will see Three Lions boss Fabio Capello name his captain for
the World Cup qualifying campaign.
A domestic ban would exclude Ferdinand from being
picked for the squad. That would effectively dump him out of
contention, even though he has led the team twice before.
Chelsea skipper John Terry and Liverpool captain Steven
Gerrard would then go head-to-head to win the armband. United’s 2-1
defeat at Chelsea took the title race to the wire, though the Reds
went on to retain their Premier League crown.
The FA are still investigating the aftermath of the
match which saw six United players get in a fight with Chelsea
ground staff during a warm-down. SunSport understands the Blues
have provided a substantial amount of evidence — including CCTV
footage — to Soho Square.
And Ferdinand has actually admitted kicking Wray by
accident.