I’m sorry but they tested my patience
PHIL JONES has hit back at his two-game UEFA ban for swearing at anti-doping officials.
The Manchester United defender was suspended after losing his temper following the Europa League final win over Ajax in Stockholm in May.
Jones was found guilty of “directing insulting and abusive language” and showing “a lack of cooperation and respect” towards an official.
The incident came after the England defender tried to celebrate with his team-mates on the pitch but was hauled off to do the test by officials.
Jones will miss United’s opening Champions League game, having sat out last month’s Super Cup final.
He admits he swore, but says it was because he was upset at not being able to join his teammates in holding up a banner in tribute to the 22 victims of the Manchester bomb attack that had taken place 48 hours earlier.
Jones, set to win his 22nd cap for England against Malta in Valletta tonight or Slovakia at Wembley on Monday, said: “I knew in about the 75th minute that me and Daley Blind were up for doping, the doctor told us, which was not a problem. It was fine by me, I’ve done it many times. “But it’s not as if we had just won the Mickey Mouse league. We’d won the Europa League. I’m sure anyone can understand you work so hard all year to win a prestigious competition like that – then someone says you can’t celebrate with your team. “We’d planned to do the banner for the Manchester attacks. It’s quite close considering we are a Manchester team based in Manchester – but it wasn’t to be. “I complied with rules and did my urine sample, did my blood sample and ended up with a twogame ban. I couldn’t believe it. It’s harsh. You see players go in for legbreaking challenges and they get a one or two-game ban. I could understand if I didn’t comply with the rules, but I did.
“Maybe there was language that was inappropriate, but it wasn’t directed at the official himself. I definitely didn’t look at him in the eye and say he was this and that.
“Looking back on it now, did I deserve a fine? Possibly, but a two-game ban is a bit out of the ordinary.
“They said did I want to leave any comments, I said ‘no’ and walked out of the room. I’m sure they’ve seen far worse. I’ve seen far worse and I’m not going to name names.
“I’ve moved on. It’s done. I’ve got the ban and I’ll serve it and look to the Champions League.”
Jones admits he has had a stop-start career at United, but believes that has been down to injuries. He has also been weighed down by Sir Alex (4-4-1-1)
HOGG; Z MUSCAT, AGIUS, BORG, ZERAFA; R FENECH, A MUSCAT, KRISTENSEN, GAMBIN; SCHEMBRI; FARRUGIA.
Ferguson saying he could become the greatest player in the club’s history.
Under Louis van Gaal, he was consigned to the sidelines, but he is getting into a good rhythm under Jose Mourinho.
“You’re young and you read the Ferguson comments but it goes straight over your head,” he said. “You think, ‘Oh, that’s good’ – and you go out to Nando’s with your mates!
“The manager says nice things but I don’t like to sit there and think ‘that’s nice’ because football is a very, very strange game, you can be up one minute and down there the next. You just have to – and I know it sounds stupid – take each day as it comes.
“I have seen comments from Mourinho and it’s nice to hear but I’m under no illusions. It’s a long season and things can change very quickly. I need to keep doing what I’m doing in training and in matches.” REF: Artur Soares Dias (Portugal) TV: ITV KICK-OFF: 7.45PM (4-2-3-1)
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