Ferguson mystery explained
by Adam Marshall, 22 July 2008
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Spo...ts/sport-space/football/great-britain-locale/
The truth is beginning to emerge over the alleged quotes from Sir Alex Ferguson that provoked a major storm with Tottenham over Dimitar Berbatov.
The Sun claimed an exclusive from the Manchester United boss admitting he saw the Bulgaria striker as an ideal signing for The Red Devils.
It has since emerged that The Sun did not source the interview themselves but took the quotes from a supporters' forum.
And a Norwegian fans' branch has admitted initial responsibility.
"A feather has become 35 hens here," said the branch's webmaster Steinar Madsen to Aftenposten. "It might seem like we are to blame for what has happened.
"We are to blame in the sense of how the interview was presented. Ferguson didn't mention the name Berbatov when he was interviewed by us.
"I would call it a misunderstanding. It was tricky conditions for the interview.
"As journalists, you have probably experienced this yourself, how it is to listen to the tape afterwards.
"That can cause problems and Ferguson's accent is not too easy to understand to start with.
"Ferguson confirmed that United had tabled an offer.
"We assumed it was Berbatov he was talking about. We might have taken it too far."
Ferguson insists he has never mentioned Berbatov by name, which he would be entitled to in any case if tabling a firm bid, but Spurs have compiled a dossier they have sent to The FA protesting that United have unsettled the former Bayer Leverkusen striker.
The Red Devils manager's response to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy's criticism was to pass the matter to the club's lawyers after being described as "arrogant and hypocritical".
Meanwhile, chief executive David Gill has reaffirmed that star man Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale despite a concerted attempt from Real Madrid to sign the Portugal forward.
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Spo...ts/great-britain-locale/sport-space/football/
Feel free to apologise Twizzle.
If you are man enough, of course. This will be a big test for you.