Martinez denies Fergie attack

Wigan manager keen to set record straight

Last updated: 28th October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Martinez denies Fergie attack

Martinez: Comments denied

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Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has 'categorically denied' that he claimed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had too much power.

Comments attributed to the Spaniard appeared in a newspaper in his homeland in which he suggested that the Football Association were afraid to punish the Red Devils boss.

Martinez was also reported to have claimed that Ferguson had other Premier League managers - including Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce - on his side in his battles with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

But the Wigan boss insists he never made any comments about Ferguson and released a statement through the League Managers' Association.

Categorically denied

The statement read: "Wigan Athletic manager, Roberto Martinez, has today categorically denied making the comments about Sir Alex Ferguson that have been attributed to him in a number of media reports.

"Martinez has referred the matter to the League Managers Association."

Ferguson found himself in hot water with the FA over his criticism of referee Alan Wiley's fitness in the wake of the home draw with Sunderland earlier this month.

The Old Trafford supremo has admitted to the charge of improper conduct and has asked for a personal hearing.

Comments (8)

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Daniel Johnson (Arsenal fan) says...

BREAKING NEWS!!!! Wigan Manager hits nail on head, (but is then forced to retract statement).

Posted 15:37 28th October 2009

Will Smith (Liverpool fan) says...

Fergie has obviously sent the Steve Bruce and Big Sam round to "sway his opinion"

Posted 15:09 28th October 2009

Adam Barker (Liverpool fan) says...

I was surprised Dave Whelan (Man U's biggest fan after Alex F himself) allowed Martinez to say anything bad about Man U in the first place. I mean, when it's a "shame if we win" when playing Man U, you can't have the Wigan manager saying anything bad about Alex......

Posted 15:08 28th October 2009

Mel Socratous (Manchester United fan) says...

Maybe I'm being quick to judge, but does this sound like he's back-peddling? There is no smoke without fire.

Posted 14:59 28th October 2009

William Mowbray (Manchester United fan) says...

Roberto Martinez wouldn't have said this, why would he? He's new to the Premiership and he knows how great a manager Sir Alex is. He has no reason to make comments like that. If anything, he would be asking Fergie for advice since he is new to the league and who better to ask than the best?? It's not like Martinez is managing Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.....there's no need for a war of words or mind games? When Man Utd beat Wigan 5-0 at the DW stadium earlier this year, was this meant to be due to Fergies "power"? You could see in the pre-match exchange between the managers, there was nothing but respect and admiration. I think newspapers lack class when they release lies and in the end, only make theirselves look stupid as they always end up getting denied by the person who the comments are attributed to, in this case Martinez.

Posted 14:49 28th October 2009

Saif Rohman (Manchester United fan) says...

Clearly he doesn't want to ruin the prospect of him getting a job at Old Trafford. Which, despite his unsavoury comments, I think he's quite capable of...

Posted 14:47 28th October 2009

Simba Mandiringana (Liverpool fan) says...

Feet in mouths for all those who had run off on the previous article!

Posted 14:27 28th October 2009

J. B. (Liverpool fan) says...

Why is he back tracking?? what was said was correct, totally correct, don't tell me he is also afraid of the mighty FERGIE.

Posted 14:25 28th October 2009
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