Darren Ferguson fined £1,000 for saying he would 'shoot' referees
Wednesday 31 January 2018 11:07, UK
Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson has been fined £1,000 by the Football Association after saying he would "shoot" League One's "appalling" referees following the 1-1 draw with Plymouth on January 13.
Ferguson hit out at referee Andy Haines in his post-match press comments, after claiming Rovers were denied a "blatant penalty".
When asked by BBC Radio Sheffield how he would like the FA to address the issue, the 45-year-old said: "The referees are part-time and the standard is appalling, their fitness levels are a disgrace, I've had enough of it.
"What can I do? Shoot them, it would be a good idea."
Ferguson apologised for his remarks the following day, branding them as "tongue in cheek" and stressing that he does not advocate violence against officials.
A statement from the FA on Wednesday morning read: "Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Ferguson has been fined £1,000 after admitting that his media comments after the match against Plymouth Argyle on 13 January 2018 were improper and brought the game into disrepute."
