Monsieur Cantona à propos de Rio:
ERIC THE KING RECALLS HIS OWN BAN
Story by Editor 21 March 2004
And says that Ferdinand can do it and come back better than before. Let´s hope so eh?
The King:
" Not being able to play football made me realise just how much the game meant to me. It gave me time for contemplation and self-examination and because of that I came through it a better player and a better man.
" When I was punished for kicking the hooligan it would have been easy for me to turn my back on football.
" That was my intention. I was angry and upset, but Alex Ferguson came to see me in France and made me realise that I could not walk away.
" I have said before that kicking the hooligan was one of the most important things I did during my career. Not being able to play made me realise just how much the game meant to me.
" Ferguson supported me and I wanted to give him and the club something back in return.
" When I did finally retire from football it was because I had lost my passion for the game. There were other things I wanted to do.
" But during the time I was banned, returning to play for United was the only thing that kept me going."
Redknapp Snr:
" I signed Rio as a 14-year-old kid, so I probably know him better than anyone else in football. I can tell you that he doesn´t take drugs, no way.
" He won´t like it that questions are now being asked about him, but he will learn from it and come back a better player.
" If there is one thing about Rio it is that he concentrates so much on his football that he doesn´t pay attention to the little things off the pitch.
" Football isn´t just about 90 minutes on a Saturday, it´s about small details that build up the big picture and about handling yourself in a professional way. I think Rio will be a lot more professional in his outlook after this."