Ferguson contract talks not Rocked by Magnier

ALEX Ferguson’s legal dispute with major shareholder John Magnier will not interrupt the Manchester United manager’s current contract talks.

Chief executive David Gill has pledged to successfully conclude negotiations to extend Ferguson's 17--year reign as Old Trafford boss even though the Scot is at the centre of a row with Magnier over ownership of racehorse Rock of Gibraltar.

Fears had been expressed that Magnier's influence at the club his Cubic Expression group is the largest single shareholder could have a negative impact on Ferguson's chances of staying beyond his current deal which expires in 2005.

But Gill, who unveiled a new stg£36million, four--year sponsorship agreement with telecommunications giant Vodafone, vowed that would not happen and talks will eventually reach a positive conclusion.

"No outside influence will be allowed to interfere with Alex signing a new contract," said Gill.

"Alex has been very successful and we are moving ahead to finalise the contract to make sure he stays with us to deliver more success for many years to come."

Meanwhile Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo have both been fined and warned as to their future conduct by the Football Association.

After a hearing lasting almost five hours at a Heathrow hotel, Giggs received a stg£7,500 penalty, while Ronaldo must fork out stg£4,000 as punishment for their part in the fracas which followed Manchester United's 0-0 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford on September 21.

Both players were found guilty of improper conduct but the relatively small fines, compared to the combined nine-match bans handed down to Lauren, Martin Keown and Ray Parlour, indicate that the FA felt their indiscretions were minor.

Earlier in the afternoon, it was disclosed that Rio Ferdinand's Football Association disciplinary hearing will be held at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on 18-19 December.

The Manchester United defender will have a personal hearing to answer charges he missed a drugs test. Ferdinand denies charges he failed or refused to take a test on 23 September 23.

He claims he forgot to take the test but if he cannot convince the FA he could be found guilty of deliberately avoiding it.

The more serious offence carries a maximum punishment of a two-year ban although a suspension of three months is thought to be more likely.

The FA has come in for criticism over the length of time taken to arrange a hearing and has confirmed it does not have any specific rules to deal with a player missing a drug test.