Source: Daily_Mail
CHARLES SALE: Friendship goes out the window as Fergie snubs his pal from Sky
Manchester United[LNB]manager Sir Alex Ferguson showed he's not the best of losers by refusing to speak to Sky Sports interviewer Geoff Shreeves after his team's heavy home defeat by Liverpool[LNB]. [LNB]Fergie's grouse - despite his friendship with Shreeves - was over Sky screening the game on Saturday lunchtime rather than Sunday afternoon, which would have allowed United more time to recover from their midweek Champions League game, which took place the night after Liverpool's European tie. [LNB]However, the scheduling had more to do with the Manchester Police not allowing a match against United's bitter rivals Liverpool to start at 4pm due to fears of drink-influenced crowd problems. [LNB] [LNB]Tight lipped: Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak with Sky Sports following United's comprehensive home defeat to title rivals Liverpool on Saturday[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... SHOULD FERGIE BE FORCED TO DO TV INTERVIEWS AFTER PREMIER LEAGUE MATCHES? Charles Sale's brilliant Sports Agenda column has reported that Sir Alex Ferguson refused to speak in front of the Sky Sports' cameras on Saturday. This follows Fergie's long-running refusal to conduct BBC interviews. Shouldn't the FA and/or Premier League force the United boss into speaking?[LNB][LNB]TELL US WHAT YOU THINK[LNB] But don't expect the Premier League to do anything about theirbankrollers being snubbed. Fergie hasn't spoken to the BBC since May2004 without any reprimand from the authorities.[LNB]And the Beeb have long since given up even making representations toOld Trafford or the Premier League about Ferguson's lifetime vow ofsilence following an innocuous BBC3 documentary about his footballdealings with former agent son Jason.[LNB]Only the Champions LeagueTV rights deals demand the media co-operation of the managers in thecontract and Ferguson fronts up as required for that tournament.[LNB] The FA inquiry into the CarlosTevez controversy is continuing despite West Ham[LNB]and Sheffield Unitedreaching an agreement on compensation. [LNB]Butwith both clubs now keen to draw a line under the saga and West Ham,the club under the FA microscope, putting up their legal objections tothe FA search, it's odds-on that the investigation documents will endup under the Soho Square carpet with West Ham chief executive ScottDuxbury (left), widely expected to be the fall guy, free to carry on in charge.[LNB] A gala dinner was planned at Eastlands today to celebrate the 80thbirthday of distinguished former Manchester City[LNB]FA Cup-winner KenBarnes, father of another ex-City star Peter, to which many old Cityfaces, including legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann (right) had been invited. [LNB][LNB] More from Charles Sale... Charles Sale: Sports minister pitches in over bookies' row[LNB]13/03/09 McGuire exit rocks the players' union[LNB]12/03/09 Charles Sale: C4 under starter's orders for change[LNB]11/03/09 Charles Sale: Ruby ready with a personal salute[LNB]10/03/09 CHARLES SALE: Premier League pair could be paying a Ranson[LNB]01/03/09 Leeds legend Giles goes from a lead role to extra[LNB]28/02/09 Dumb and Dumber host the bigwigs[LNB]26/02/09 Charles Sale: Museum of Sport fund tops a whopping £40m[LNB]25/02/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB] Unfortunately the event has been postponed after Ken broke a hip during a fall while walking in Macclesfield.[LNB] There was astonishment within Sky Sports News when colourful reporter Andy Burton (left) was the recipient of one of the station's monthly Goldenball awards voted on by a panel for his work on transfer deadline day. [LNB]Some staff are even planning to request a meeting with channel chief Andy Cairns to complain. [LNB]Burtoncritics claim to have gone through the tape of his performance anddiscovered that a significant amount of what he predicted with so muchenthusiasm did not come to pass. [LNB]Burton, bless him, has donated his trophy and cash prize to charity.[LNB] Giant Johnno's jittersSuper size me: England coach Martin Johnson come under scrutiny from BBC presenter John Inverdale[LNB]England rugby boss Martin Johnson may be 6ft 7in with a fearsomepresence. But he showed how thin-skinned he's become with disdainfulanswers to fair questions by the BBC's Sonia McLoughlin after the lossto Ireland and in an interview before the French game which presenterJohn Inverdale introduced with the comment that Johnson should pick onsomeone his own size. [LNB]Meanwhile, the £100million South Stand Hotel at Twickenham, whichthe RFU pledged would finally be open in time for the France game, wassurprise, surprise, not ready for business. [LNB]After well over ayear's delay and five false starts already, this latest hiccup has beenblamed on the fit-out contractors Cornhill going bust. [LNB]But goodnews for the game is that the Dubai World Cup Rugby Sevens havestrengthened the bid for inclusion as an Olympic event for 2016. [LNB]IOC members, who were in Dubai, were especially impressed by thewomen's event which took place alongside the men's championship for thefirst time. [LNB]Softball and golf are the other main contenders for the two places to be decided in October.[LNB] Bookmakers William Hill, who opted out ofthe £500,000 cost of branding the Cheltenham Festival TV camera blimp,are keeping their money in the sport.[LNB]They will announce a new sponsorship of a major race in Scotland on Tuesday. [LNB] [LNB]
