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Blatter hits out at FA
Doha, Oct 18: Football`s world ruling body Fifa have called on the English Football Association to in get tough following a week of embarrassing headlines involving some of the game`s top players.
Doha, Oct 18: Football's world ruling body Fifa have
called on the English Football Association to in get tough
following a week of embarrassing headlines involving some of
the game's top players.
In an executive committee meeting, which also discussed
players' naturalisations and the thorny issue of Oceania's
World Cup place, Fifa president Sepp Blatter called on the FA
to demand "discipline and respect" from professional plying
their trade in England.
"When something happens in England, whose federation (FA) was founded in 1863, it's not like when it happens anywhere else," said Blatter, referring to the Rio Ferdinand affair.
England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand hit the headlines last week when it was revealed that did not turn up for a dope test.
He was dropped from the squad for England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey but his teammates threatened to boycott the match because many felt the FA had been too swift in judging Ferdinand.
The FA was also in the firing line when the issue of automatic suspensions for a red card were discussed.
Fifa has confirmed it will not be changing the current ruling whereby a player is automatically suspended for a direct red card or two yellow cards in a match.
"The only possible exception is if video evidence shows that the referee has made an error," said Blatter, who added that if the federations - and notably the FA - did not apply the ruling then Fifa's disciplinary commission would step in.
Bureau Report
"When something happens in England, whose federation (FA) was founded in 1863, it's not like when it happens anywhere else," said Blatter, referring to the Rio Ferdinand affair.
England and Manchester United defender Ferdinand hit the headlines last week when it was revealed that did not turn up for a dope test.
He was dropped from the squad for England's Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey but his teammates threatened to boycott the match because many felt the FA had been too swift in judging Ferdinand.
The FA was also in the firing line when the issue of automatic suspensions for a red card were discussed.
Fifa has confirmed it will not be changing the current ruling whereby a player is automatically suspended for a direct red card or two yellow cards in a match.
"The only possible exception is if video evidence shows that the referee has made an error," said Blatter, who added that if the federations - and notably the FA - did not apply the ruling then Fifa's disciplinary commission would step in.
Bureau Report