Fergie: Handed touchline ban
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FA hit Fergie with touchline ban
Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a four-match touchline ban for his comments about Alan Wiley after Manchester United's draw with Sunderland.
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Two of the matches will be suspended until the end of next season, while United boss Ferguson was also given a £20,000 fine by an FA regularity commission for suggesting referee Wiley was "just wasn't fit enough" to officiate in the Premier League after last month's game.
Peter Griffiths QC, who chaired the commission, said: "Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game.
"Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.
"The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate.
"He should never have said what he did say."
The additional two-match ban will be activated if Ferguson is found guilty of a similar offence before the end of next season.
Ferguson had admitted the charge of improper conduct and apologised to Wiley in the wake of strong opinion his comments had served to undermine the FA's 'Respect' campaign.
However, the Scot maintained his assertion that the fitness of referees in the Premier League remained an issue to be discussed.
"I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views," Ferguson said at the time via the club's website.
"My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels."
Ferguson continued to be outspoken in his comments about referees even after attracting the FA charge.
Following his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.
He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an "absolutely ridiculous" position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
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Your Comments
supareds4eva (Liverpool fan)
"1234jump, Manchester United fan are you serious?The EPL would be boring without Fergie?More like the EPL would be better without him."
johnny_mu_4ever (Manchester United fan)
"Haha..Fergie the untouchable...2 match touchline ban..hahahahaha...and another 2 if he makes the same mistake..haha..FA are nofing before SAF"
sir_alex_knows (Manchester United fan)
"some of you guys are seriously stupid on this forum. Yes, offcourse Wiley would have done more mileage then most if not all players on the pitch... he is required to be as close to play as possible. Doing more mileage does not prove his fitness, how he does that mileage is what defines it... and it was quiet glaring that he wasn't up to it... he was completely out of breath... then again, it was a pretty fast paced match, but most games today are, so his fitness needs to match."
HellAngel
"How sweet and soft:p THE FA is having and affair with Fergie. <3 <3 <3"
kumar14 (Arsenal fan)
"how does it coincide, that only the ref error's(or 50-50 decisions) occurred in a match where MU did not win, is seen and freely spoken by SAF? what about those error decisions which went to MU's advantage in the games they won?........... but nothing is clear nowadays, whether the refs make mistakes, or it just seem like a mistake somebody had to drops points due to the decision....... "
Fonz0809 (Manchester United fan)
"Covered more ground than the players? DO ME A FAVOUR!! How much energy did the ref expend fighting for the ball?"
gunners77 (Arsenal fan)
"fegie is a hipocrite, he only complain when decision is against him. but to man u has benefited from poor officiating than any club in the premiership."
UTD_d_Religion (Manchester United fan)
"well thats a shame! Punishing someone for saying something which is actually "the truth". I just hope that other managers don't put their tail between their legs and come in front and voice out their opinions, wherever they feel they have not been given a fair trial by referees. Refereeing must improve, the FA can punish a thousand Alex Ferguson, but they are aware of the ugly truth, and one day...they will have to introduce technology in refereeing."
1234jump (Manchester United fan)
"Lets be serious. If it were not for Fergie the EPL would be boring. As much as rivals hate him i am sure that at a drop of a hat they would have him for a manager.NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.When he is gone who do we have to entertain us Wenger, Rafa , Redknap please, enjoy it while it lasts but keep your some of your remarks to yourself. As Dale Boy would say "Dont be a Plonker""
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