Fergie charged over ref rant

United boss could be facing touchline ban

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 19th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fergie charged over ref rant

Ferguson: Charged by FA

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Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over his comments regarding referee Alan Wiley's fitness.

The Manchester United manager launched an outspoken attack on the official following the 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford on 3rd October.

The Scot claimed in a post-match interview that the experienced official was 'not fit enough for a game of that standard' and accused Wiley of 'walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest'.

Ferguson provided the FA with an explanation of his comments but has now been charged for his outburst, which provoked an angry response from representatives of the professional referees.

Respond

The Red Devils boss did issue a personal apology to Wiley for any embarrassment that his comments may have caused, but went on to reiterate his call for improved fitness levels among top-flight officials.

Ferguson has until 3rd November to respond to the charge and could be handed a fine or a touchline ban as punishment if he is found guilty by the game's governing body.

A statement on the FA's official website read: "Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct.

"The charge relates to media comments made by Ferguson about referee Alan Wiley following United's match against Sunderland at Old Trafford on 3 October."

Comments (32)

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Mark Wilson (Exeter City fan) says...

A lot of you have been fooled. The purpose of fergie's rant was to take attention away from his team's (especially his goal keeper's) performance, nothing more, nothing less. He should be banned from giving post-match interviews whenever his team does not play well, so that the press will write about the game rather than side issues.

Posted 15:50 19th October 2009

Kevin Harvey (Colchester United fan) says...

As a neutral Colchester supporter I don't think that Sir Alex should be allowed to get away with what he said. What would he say if people criticised his players by saying they were unfit or overweight and what about the players taking rests in games when they are tackled, claiming they are injured and then get up 30-60 seconds later surprisingly ok to go on another mazy run. Sir Alex still does not speak to the BBC because he did not like remarks made by a certain commentator and how long has he kept this up. I think the referees should boycott United's fixtures for 2 or 3 weeks so that they would have to catch up with these matches at the end of the season and then they can prove to everyone how fit they are, after all what is a fine to Sir Alex.

Posted 15:41 19th October 2009

Sami Al (Manchester United fan) says...

I don't understand how can other fans say that Sir Alex and Manchester United always get away with things because that is absolutely not true. Every single time Sir Alex has said anything about referees even if it was true he got charged by the FA, they never let anything go. Last season when Fletcher got sent off in the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal, the UEFA stood their ground and insisted that the sending off was right although the blind could tell it wasn't. In the other hand when John Terry got sent off against Manchester City last season, the card was withdrawn by the FA because they thought it was a harsh sending off. Please be fair, who gets a special treatment is a team like Chelsea not us because we never get away with anything even if it was right.

Posted 15:30 19th October 2009

Alex Smith (Manchester United fan) says...

Good call by the FA. Fergie deserved to be charged. I would have complained if he was charged simply for criticising a ref's decision. But he has gone over the top by criticising a referee's fitness.

Posted 15:28 19th October 2009

Ari Towli (Arsenal fan) says...

Sir Alex's comments were born ot of frustration. He has apologised so lets move on and concentrate on more Important matters like Arsenal winning the league. Bring it on ! We all need to appreciate that football is a high pressure game and microphones are stuck under the noses of managers after 90 stressful minutes so when their team has just dropped points at home can we really be surpised if we hear a rant or two?

Posted 15:03 19th October 2009

Matthew Crumpton (Leeds United fan) says...

Maybe after Mr Ferguson's tirade of abuse towards referees in England; the men in the middle will actually begin to award penalties to opposing teams at Old Trafford in a act or revenge! OK, maybe I'm getting just a little too exited... it's never going to happen.

Posted 14:52 19th October 2009

Lee Shimms (Liverpool fan) says...

Its about time something was done...it should have been done instantly that way he would miss important games,no doubt he will miss a couple of simple home games.... I cant understand why its not dealt with earlier..he should be missing the trip to Anfield... Hes got away with things for to long now... Throw the book that he thinks he wrote at him,hard!!!

Posted 14:42 19th October 2009

Ayot C. perry (Manchester United fan) says...

Other than "walking up the pitch" does it mean if Alan Wiley had collapsed in the pitch, Fergie still wouldn't have anything to say about the matter? Oh please, FA give us a break! Let the man exercise his right as a manager.

Posted 14:19 19th October 2009

John Kilbrane (Manchester United fan) says...

He probably deserves a ban but lets not pretend he hasnt gone unpunished before, this will likely be his third touchline ban in the past 2 (annual, not playing) years. liverpool (and other) fans like to moan he is untouchable, but this clearly isnt true. his punishments have been harsher than any Benitez or others have faced for similar challenges about referee competence

Posted 14:13 19th October 2009

John Stewart (Manchester United fan) says...

Wow David Wilson talk about an unjustified personal attack perhaps you should be brought up on charges too, I think you will find that people believe in more than one god in this world... Fergie has done wonders for not Just Man U but football in general his opinions should be counted as one of the most Savvy and honest around. As for its the players that wins things, you can't be more wrong. if thats the case then why do teams continually sack thier managers why has Fergie won so much & why has he nurtured and produced so many talented players and managers (Including your own) Without Fergie do you think Steve Bruce would be where he is today, Look around the league at all the managers and assistants he managed over the years. Fergie is truly a great manager and an inspiration for everyone involved in football even those who may dislike him cannot argue that. I said below he went too far but your reasoning comes purely out of petty football jealousy and prejudice.

Posted 14:06 19th October 2009

Sam Mervyn (Manchester United fan) says...

I fail to understand the difference between Sir Alex calling the referee overweight and Rafa Benitez calling a referee blind. If one was charged, the other should have been charged as well. Personally I think neither should have been charged as they have every right to make comments regarding the ability of referees to do their jobs properly in a billion pound industry. Take the Villa vs Chelsea game for instance, the referee was taken ill even before the match started. What would have happened if he was taken ill during it? How long will it take to restart the game and what will the time penalty be for the teams? I think this charge to Sir Alex made by the FA is nothing more than a way to avoid the real problem. The very realastic situation where the fitness of referees could seriously affect the games played and possibly even change its outcome.

Posted 13:55 19th October 2009

Aaron Cameron (Manchester United fan) says...

To Dave WIlson (Sunderland Fan)... Man United are a great team, but that's not the manager? Are you for real? Did you bang your head on your Mackem bedpost when you got out from beneath your Niall Quinn pictured bedspread this morning? Ferguson has been reprimanded by the FA as it was a personal attack and this i have no particular issue with; managers should speak their mind but Fergies comments were a bit harsh, but to say that it's the players and not the manager? He is THE most succesful British Manager ever, has rebuilt 4-5 different teams and won everything there is to win over a 20 year period. How many other managers last more than 5 minutes nowadays?

Posted 13:40 19th October 2009

Darcie Caldcleugh (Manchester United fan) says...

Dave Wilson (Sunderland fan) says... Ferguson moans about everything. He must realise that he is not bigger than the sport. there is only one God and it is not him. He should be bound over to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the season. Manchester United are a great club but thats the players not the Manager. WRONG. Without Sir Alex Ferguson, the player's ego's would be sky high right now. They would not be the players they are today because they would have thought much more of themselves than they should. Fergie keeps their feet on the ground and makes them work, you only have to look at Cristiano Ronaldo from when we bought him as a young boy as to now. Fergie may have gone overboard but a 5 match ban as some people are suggesting is too much.

Posted 13:12 19th October 2009

David Hodgson (Hull City fan) says...

I still do not understand why Managers are allowed on the touchline anyway. I think it's just asking for trouble if not with the officials then with the opposing Manager. The bench should be reserved for the trainer and substitutes only.

Posted 12:51 19th October 2009

John B (Manchester United fan) says...

I'm sure SAF is quaking in his Govan kilt. Let's face it,the execs at the FA are just well paid buffoons,who likely couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo,let alone pass a ball 12 yards in the right direction.All they know and care about of the game, is how much revenue it can generate.Nothing else matters. Sir Fergie was right about the quality of our referees.Most of them stink compared to Coligna the great Italian ref.Respect must be earned,not surrendered meekly by the meteing out of moronic schoolboy detentions and exclusions from these faceless FA bullies. You need only look at old 'Sparky Clutterbuck' the man in the middle for the vist to OT of Bolton.More concerned with his new hair and his appearance than learning to ref a game consistently.Most Prem refs are vain glorious wannabes.Just ask Mr.Poll.More cards in a game than Cliftons.Useless.How difficult is it to brandish 2 yellow cards? Come on Fergie,keep it up.

Posted 12:51 19th October 2009

Barry Hennessy (Liverpool fan) says...

I am sure I will not be the only person to say, its about time! Yes I am a Liverpool fan, and I have nothing but admiration for Mr Ferguson and his team(s) over the last 15 years, BUT I am so so sick of what he and his club are allowed to get away with. The intimadation factor from Mr Ferguson especially at Old Trafford has long gone beyond a joke, and in my opinion is destroying the Premier League. Even though he will probably laugh off the charge, it is a bold statement from the FA, lets see more of this and stop the "untouchable" behaviour of Mr Ferguson and his crew. My admiration of him went into the toilet when he was laughing on the touchline with Mr Wiley (who was his buddy then!) in front of Mark Hughes, oh yes and that was coming into the 7th min of injury time! Thank you Sky for allowing us to have our say, the league would be nothing without you guys.

Posted 12:51 19th October 2009

John Dyer jnr (Manchester United fan) says...

Sir Alex is being used as a scape goat for those profile managers i.e Rafael Benitez & Steve Bruce to watch and learn from F.A disciplinary but its will wont stop this from repeat again in the near future who ever does slip up next it time

Posted 12:49 19th October 2009

Steve O' riordan (Manchester United fan) says...

Absolutely ridiculous, what kind of association charges a manager for an opinion that he has a full right to give, you dont see managers being fined or charged for questioning the fitness of a player do you??

Posted 12:46 19th October 2009

Ben Molineux (Newcastle United fan) says...

Im not exactly a fan of Ferguson, but the FA are pathetic. They are too heavy handed and their actions are close to breaking basic human rights of free speach! Another example is Mick McCarthy talking about the Everton game and the fowl against Doyle... when he said "It was a foul, but if it's not given (by the referee) then it quite clearly isn't a foul..." and then giving a cheeky smile.... The FA have to let people speak their words and their opinions on wether a decision was wrong or an individual person (i.e. referee or linesman) is wrong, if the press can do it, then why cant the managers? Shocking.

Posted 12:45 19th October 2009

Tom Brennan (Liverpool fan) says...

About time someone did something about Fergies constant Unpunished ramblings. Shame nothings been done about him shouting & swearing at the 4th official during the match anyone else would have been sent to the stands as wenger did recently just for a little kick at a bottle "DOUBLE STANDARDS" !!!!!!!!!

Posted 12:44 19th October 2009
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