Source: Telegraph
Manchester United impose broadcasting blackout for leaked footage to Sky Sports
The club removed several cameras from the press room before Sir Alex Ferguson made his entrance after one agency handed over footage from last week's conference to Sky Sports. [LNB]Ferguson banned Sky's cameras from his press conferences at the club's training ground after he learned they had sent pictures to the Football Association - at their request - that led to Rio Ferdinand being charged with violent conduct. [LNB]United are currently appealing the fourth game of Ferdinand's suspension for striking Hull's Craig Fagan during the contest at Old Trafford on Jan 23. [LNB]Ferguson said the club will cite the example of Javier Mascherano when they attempt to prove the England defender did not lodge a "frivolous" appeal against his original three-match ban last week. [LNB]Even though Ferdinand risks further punishment by the FA for lodging a second appeal, United are confident of success. [LNB]They believe they have evidence to place before the panel that Mascherano got away, without even being charged, with what they feel was a very similar incident against Leeds in September, when the Argentina star caught Jermaine Beckford on the head. [LNB]"The concern is the word frivolous," stated Ferguson in front of the written press, who were allowed to take their places for today's press call. [LNB]"The two most experienced referees in the Premier League are Alan Wiley and Steve Bennett. [LNB]"They are under the same controls and the same directions. One says yes (Bennett), in the case of Rio, and one says no (Wiley), in the case of Javier Mascherano against Leeds United when he punched the player in the back of the head. [LNB]"When you see that example, we don't think our appeal was frivolous." [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]
