Tag Archives: testimony

Rio Ferdinand appeals charge over "choc ice" tweet

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Ferdinand demands personal hearing in appeal against FA charge over 'choc ice' tweet allegedly aimed at Cole

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UPDATED:

16:25 GMT, 2 August 2012

Rio Ferdinand has vowed to fight his FA charge over the ‘choc ice’ tweet.

The Manchester United defender has appealed after the FA charged him with making improper comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race.

The initial ‘choc ice’ remark about Ashley Cole came two days after the Chelsea defender gave evidence on behalf of team-mate John Terry in his race trial concerning Ferdinand’s brother Anton.

Ferdinand initially responded to a tweet accusing Cole of being a ‘choc ice’ — street slang for being black on the outside and white on the inside.

Charged: Rio Ferdinand is in bother over a comment he responded to on Twitter

Charged: Rio Ferdinand is in bother over a comment he responded to on Twitter

Ferdinand tweeted: ‘I hear you fella!
Choc ice is classic. Hahahahahaha!!’ He later deleted the tweet and
claimed on Twitter that it was slang for someone being ‘fake’.

An FA statement read: 'Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand has today [Thursday 2 August] denied an FA charge of improper conduct in relation to comments posted on Twitter.

'The allegation is that the player acted in a way which was improper and/or brought the game into disrepute by making comments which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race. The player has requested a personal hearing.'

Testimony: Ashley Cole gave evidence at John Terry's trial at the start of July

Testimony: Ashley Cole gave evidence at John Terry's trial at the start of July

The Ferdinand charge came on the day
it emerged that the FA’s case against Terry will dog Roy Hodgson’s
preparations for England’s August 15 friendly against Italy.

Terry requested a personal hearing
after being charged under Rule E3 for allegedly making racist remarks
towards Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last October. Terry’s legal team
must agree on a mutually acceptable date for the case to be heard.

Hodgson has been told he can continue
to pick the deposed England skipper, but the ongoing case will be a
cloud over the first international of the season.

Lance Armstrong facing formal doping charges

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Armstrong to face formal doping charges and could lose ALL seven Tour de France titles

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UPDATED:

23:04 GMT, 29 June 2012

The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) have confirmed they are to file formal doping charges against Lance Armstrong which could see the cyclist lose his record-breaking total of seven Tour de France titles.

The organisation issued a statement on Friday which revealed an independent three person Anti-Doping Review Board had unanimously recommended going ahead with legal proceedings.

An arbitration panel will now rule on the case.

Record breaker: Lance Armstrong has won seven Tour de France titles

Record breaker: Lance Armstrong has won seven Tour de France titles

A statement from USADA CEO Travis T Tygart said: 'USADA can confirm that the independent three person Anti-Doping Review Board (ADRB) has conducted a full evaluation and has made a unanimous recommendation to move forward with the adjudication process in accordance with the rules.

Denied: Armstrong has always strenuously denied allegations of doping

Denied: Armstrong has always strenuously denied allegations of doping

'All respondents will have the opportunity to exercise their right to a full public arbitration hearing, should they so choose, where all evidence would be presented, witness testimony would be given under oath, and an independent group of arbitrators would ultimately decide the outcome of the case.

'USADA will continue to follow the established procedures that are compliant with federal law and were approved by athletes, the US Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organisations.'

Armstrong, 40, has always strenuously denied all allegations of doping and reacted angrily when the USADA initiated legal proceedings over 'allegations of anti-doping rule violations' during his time with the United States Postal Service (USPS) cycling team.

He said the agency were dredging up discredited accusations.

Armstrong survived testicular cancer early in his career and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005 while competing for the US Postal Service team and the Discovery Channel team.

He retired after the 2005 Tour de France, but returned in 2009, riding for Astana Cycling and RadioShack before retiring for a second time in February 2011, taking up triathlon earlier this year.

Nasser Hussain: Hundred sets the tone for England"s summer

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Hundred sets the tone for England's summer

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UPDATED:

21:43 GMT, 18 May 2012

It was great to see how much everyone at Lord's enjoyed the moment. When Andrew Strauss reached three figures with a cut for four off Darren Sammy, you could just feel the pleasure. And the relief.

Cricket supporters in this country know how much Strauss has done for England – and they were willing him to succeed.

Ton-derful: Strauss celebrates reaching three figures with Pietersen

Ton-derful: Strauss celebrates reaching three figures with Pietersen

This is the man who has delivered back-to-back Ashes triumphs and taken his team to the top of the Test rankings. Everyone was well aware how important this innings was, not just for Strauss himself, but for the side as a whole.

The players can now put the whole Strauss issue behind them and get on with the rest of their summer. It's as if this is the final piece in the jigsaw ahead of South Africa's visit.

The funny thing is, I never looked at Strauss and thought: 'Here's a bloke out of nick.' I know he'd scored only one hundred in 50 innings, but the problem – basic though it sounds – is that he kept getting in, then getting out.

But it wasn't as if he was walking out to the middle with a scrambled brain. It wasn't as if he was visibly feeling the pressure of all the talk about his form. That's a horrible place to be – I know that from personal experience. But it's not the place he was in.

Eyes on the ball: Strauss prepares to play a stroke

Eyes on the ball: Strauss prepares to play a stroke

As much as anything, this innings was testimony to his mental strength. He was leaving the ball very well, which is the hallmark of a player who's able to isolate himself in his own bubble and leave the fussing to others.

The same thing happened the last time he emerged from a lean spell, when he made that career-saving 177 at Napier in 2008. He knew exactly where his off-stump was that day.

And he did yesterday too – even if one early leave against Fidel Edwards might have been a bit close for comfort.

I'm full of admiration for the way Strauss batted here.

And England will know they've rid themselves of an albatross that was in danger of defining their summer.

Roberto Mancini going back to Italy to care for sick father

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Manchester City manager Mancini heading back to Italy to care for sick father

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UPDATED:

08:09 GMT, 17 April 2012

Roberto Mancini has been travelling back to Italy to care for his sick father in between vital Premier League games.

Manchester City manager Mancini is worried about his dad Aldo, who has gone down hill in recent months after he appeared to have made a full recovery from a heart attack in 2010.

Mancini is believed to have kept his concerns from his players as they try to close a five-point gap to leaders Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

Concerned: Roberto Mancini (centre) goes back to Italy to see his father

Concerned: Roberto Mancini (centre) goes back to Italy to see his father

But he has informed assistants David Platt and Brian Kidd and backroom staff Attilio Lombardo, Fausto Salsano and Ivan Carminati.

Mancini has made use of a private jet to return to his homeland and a source told Goal.com: 'City have given Roberto fantastic support and they have complete understanding of his situation. In the last few weeks he has been backwards and forwards to Italy to be at the bedside of his father.'

The source added: 'Roberto is trying to be a father to Mario Balotelli and at the same time be a son to his own father.

City slickers: Mancini's men stayed in the hunt with a 6-1 win at Norwich

City slickers: Mancini's men stayed in the hunt with a 6-1 win at Norwich

'It is all quite a strain on him and a remarkable testimony of his professionalism and desire to win the title that he is handling it so well and even continuing to go on scouting missions for new players.

'It also explains his reluctance to get involved in mind games with [Sir Alex] Ferguson. He is simply too exhausted.'

Alejandro Faurlin happy at QPR… but two Premier League clubs are interested, says agent

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Faurlin happy at QPR, but two Premier League clubs and Napoli are keen

QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin is attracting interest from Napoli and two Premier League clubs.

The Argentine, 25, has enjoyed an excellent start to the season with the newly-promoted side and his agent Lucas Cominelli said: “I”m not encouraging calls because Ali is very happy at QPR.

“But when the phone rings and there are two Premier League teams and one from Serie A expressing their admiration, it”s a testimony to the way Ali has started in the top flight.”

Prize asset: Faurlin has effortlessly eased into the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, becoming one of the star performers of yet another brilliant season

Prize asset: Faurlin has effortlessly eased into the hustle and bustle of the Premier League, becoming one of the star performers of yet another brilliant season