Ferguson demands ban for reporter

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Alex Ferguson told an aide to ban an Associated Press sports writer after he asked a question about midfielder Ryan Giggs.

AP’s Rob Harris asked him a question about Giggs, who was named in the British parliament on Monday as the soccer star at the centre of a high-profile privacy case. At yesterday’s news conference with Ferguson, Harris asked about the importance of Giggs to Manchester United.

“The most experienced Champions League player in the team is obviously Ryan Giggs. How important is he for the team on Saturday?” Harris said.

“All of the players are important, every one of them,” Ferguson replied curtly.

Broadcaster Sky News later broadcast Ferguson’s whispered comments to a club media officer.

He was heard saying, “the guy that asked the question about Giggsy … at the press conference.”

She replies: “Which one?”

Ferguson responds: “Him that asked the question … who?”

The press officer replied: “Oh yeah, I’ll tell you later.”

Minutes later, Ferguson is heard to ask: “Is he coming on Friday?”

The press officer asks: “The guy with the laptop?”

Ferguson replies: “Aye. Then we’ll get him. Ban him on Friday.”

Giggs did not train with the team yesterday but played in Gary Neville’s testimonial last night.