Phil Jones has been banned by UEFA... for telling them in no uncertain terms he wanted to celebrate Manchester United’s Europa League win!
The Old Trafford star has been found guilty of breaching the governing body’s doping regulations after the European final in Stockholm last May.
It is understood Jones wanted to celebrate with his team-mates and used some ‘industrial language’ to make his case to an anti-doping official, who wanted him to take a post-match test.
The defender was found guilty of being “verbally abusive” towards the doping control officer, and has been banned for two matches, which means he will now miss the UEFA Super Cup match against Real Madrid next week and United’s first Champions League group stage match in September.
He has also been fined 5,000 euros.
United defender Daley Blind has also been fined 5000 Euros because he was reluctant to take the test as requested, with officials explaining he too wanted to celebrate with his team-mates, whose 2-0 victory over Ajax ensured their qualification for this season’s Champions League.
There is no suggestion that either player was guilty of doping, or has been sanctioned for a doping infraction. United have been fined 10,000 euros over the rule breaches.
The club are understood to be aware of UEFA’s decision, and have three days to appeal against them. However, it is understood they will not challenge the ban.
Jones was said to have forcefully suggested he ‘wanted to be with his team-mates’ and was disappointed to have been forced to miss the team photo with the trophy as the team paid tribute to the victims of the Manchester attack a week earlier... and may have used Anglo Saxon language to make his case, which provoked the charge against him.
In a statement, Uefa said: “The club (United) has been charged for infringements of the UEFA anti-doping regulations (ADR) concerning the doping control procedure.
“The player Philip Jones has been charged for insulting and directing abusive language towards the doping control officer (Article 15 (1) of the UEFA disciplinary regulations), as well as for lack of co-operation and respect towards the doping control procedure (Article 6.05 ADR).”
