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United will not appeal Evra's four game ban

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 , Posted by Linda at 10:19 AM

Manchester United have decided not to appeal against Patrice Evra's four-match ban for a post-match fracas at Chelsea last season, despite manager Alex Ferguson's outspoken condemnation of the verdict.

Chelsea security staff step in as Evra (center) moves towards Bethell in the April 26 incident.

Chelsea security staff step in as Evra (center) moves towards Bethell in the April 26 incident.

A furious Ferguson described it as the "worst decision I have ever known" after being deprived of the French international defender for crucial Premier League games over the Christmas period.

Evra will miss the encounters with Stoke and Middlesbrough, the FA Cup first round tie at Southampton on January 3, plus the first leg of the League Cup semifinal against Derby four days later.

After examination of the case, Premier League champions United have decided not to take the matter further.

It appears unlikely Evra could win an appeal given he had already admitted some fault in the unsavory incident at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea groundsman Sam Bethell.

Evra was fined £15,000 ($22,610) in addition to his suspension, but the Monaco defender has traveled with United for their Club World Cup quest in Japan before starting his enforced ban.

The incident occurred after United lost 2-1 at Chelsea during last season's title run-in.

Evra denied striking Bethell, but was still served with the lengthy ban, much to the fury of Ferguson and United who decided against an appeal in order not to prolong the process into a more crucial phase of the season.

"To serve a ban which is longer than one imposed for a career-threatening tackle or throwing an object into the crowd indicates that the disciplinary commission made a very poor decision," said a statement on United's Web site

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