Phil Jones denies verbally abusing Uefa doping control officer after Manchester United's Europa League win

Phil Jones has denied the accusation that he directly abused a Uefa doping control officer after Manchester United’s Europa League win over Ajax in May, but his appeal will go no further as he is set to miss the club’s next European game.

There had been reports that the centre-half had called the official a “f***er” and “stupid”, but he rejects this, insisting that any abusive language he used was not specifically directed at anyone.

Jones and Daley Blind were called in to give samples after the 2-0 win, leading to frustration that they could not join in the celebrations, that involved a tribute to Manchester following the terrorist attack.

“Anyone can understand that in a situation like that maybe there was language that was inappropriate, but it definitely wasn’t directed to the official himself,” Jones said. “I definitely didn’t look at him in his eye and say that he was this and that. Looking back on it now, did I deserve a fine? Possibly, but a two-game ban is a bit out of the ordinary.

“I knew on about 75 minutes that me and Daley were up for doping, the doc told us, which was not a problem, fine by me, done it many times before. Went into the doping room straight after the game and wasn’t allowed into the changing room which is fine as well. Usually you go in [to doping room], you sign, you get your chaperone so they can see what you’re doing, you can go back into the changing room, get your mobile phone, whatever, get a drink come back in [to doping room] but that wasn’t the case.

"It’s not as if we had just won the Mickey Mouse league. We had won the Europa League. I’m sure anyone can understand you work so hard all year round to win a prestige competition like that and someone says you can’t celebrate with your team. We had planned to do the banner for the Manchester attacks. It is quite close considering we are a Manchester team based in Manchester but it wasn’t to be. I fully complied with rules and did my urine sample, did my blood sample and ended up with a two game ban.”

open image in gallery

Insisting he can “100%” recognise the importance of doping control, Jones added: “I fully complied with the rules, I did my urine and my blood, I was in and out in 30 minutes.

"They said did I want to leave any comments, I said no, walked out the room and I am sure they have seen far worse in their time. I have seen far worse and I am not going to name names and nothing has happened. I have moved on from that. It’s done now, I have got the one game ban and I will serve it and look forward to the Champions League."

While United’s appeal saw Jones apologise in a letter to Uefa, it will go no further.

“Hundred per cent [I apologised]. I am sure you guys have sworn at work or something like that, I’d be surprised if you haven’t. It's been and gone now, I’ve moved over it, it is what it is.”