FA’s Aliadiere ruling angers Boro

Middlesbrough have accused the Football Association of double standards after losing their appeal against Jeremie Aliadiere’s red card at Liverpool. The FA deemed Boro’s appeal “frivolous” and added an extra game’s suspension to the striker’s initial three-match ban.

The verdict infuriated Boro chief Keith Lamb, who said Chelsea’s appeal against Michael Essien’s three-match ban was rejected but not thought “frivolous”.

“There is one rule for the big boys and another for the rest of us,” said Lamb.

However, FA spokesman Mark Hooper told BBC Sport: “The FA refutes any suggestion that certain clubs are treated differently to others. All cases are treated on merit.

Neville makes fresh comeback bid

Manchester United defender Gary Neville played 60 minutes for the club’s reserve team on Tuesday in his latest attempt to return from injury. The 33-year-old right-back has not played first-team football for nearly a year and has been plagued by calf and ankle problems over the past 11 months.

Neville has made a number of comebacks only to suffer further setbacks.

United’s second-string lost 2-0 to their Liverpool counterparts with goals from Xabi Alonso and Harry Kewell.

United’s reserves also included keeper Ben Foster on the bench as he continues his comeback from knee surgery in the summer.

source:bbcsports

Beckham in England fitness battle

David Beckham concedes he faces an uphill battle to win a coveted 100th England cap against France on 26 March. England boss Fabio Capello did not pick Beckham, 32, for this month’s win over Switzerland and he fears a lack of fitness could see him sidelined again.

“I’ve no match fitness,” said Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy in Korea on Saturday. “All I’ve done is training.

“I would love to reach the 100 caps, but I have to be physically ready to be part of the team.”

The former England captain played under Capello at Real Madrid and, though the Italian says Beckham is still part of his plans, the midfielder accepts his selection policy.

“I’ve played for Capello before, and he’s a great manager,” Beckham said.

“He is a manager that will pick players that are fit enough. I understand he selected others who played more games.”

Man Utd fined for seven bookings

Manchester United have incurred an automatic £25,000 fine from the Football Association for having seven players booked against Tottenham. Edwin van der Sar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wes Brown, Nani, Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez were all booked in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

The fine is imposed any time a team gets six or more yellow cards.

If six or more United stars are booked again in a single game this season then the club will be fined £50,000.

However, United will not face any disciplinary action after a number of players remonstrated with the assistant referee after Tottenham’s goal.

Mascherano set for permanent deal

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano says he expects to complete a permanent move to the Anfield club this week. The Argentine is registered as a Reds player on a long-term loan from Media Sports Investments (MSI), the consortium that ‘owns’ the player.

The 23-year-old said: “I have a lot of confidence that, after the next week, I can say ‘everything is right and I am staying here in Liverpool’.

“We now need to wait. We are very close but we need to talk again.”

He can sign for Liverpool outside the transfer window because he does not belong to another club.