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Sir Alex Ferguson facing FA rap over Alan Wiley fitness jibe
Andrew Hodgson05.10.09
Sir Alex Ferguson will find out today if he is going to be charged by the Football Association for his astonishing tirade against referee Alan Wiley.
The Manchester United manager was upset with the official as the champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Ferguson claimed that Wiley was not fit enough to keep up with the play and that the referee had not played the correct amount of added time because he had failed to add on an additional minute once United scored their late equaliser.
"I was disappointed with the referee," said the United boss. "He didn't add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.
"He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.
"The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game. You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit.
"He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest."
Ironically, Wiley was the fourth official when United beat neighbours City late in added time last month and, on that occasion, appeared to be sharing a joke with Ferguson on the sidelines after Michael Owen's winner.
Reader views (7)
When are Wenger and Rafa going to respect the respect campaign? Or does it only to apply to Fergie? How many times have those two openly called refs cheats and liars? 'Paul, London' you should stop seeing everything through your Arsenal tainted glasses.
- James, Manchester England
Paul of London, another comedian. Even if born and raised in Welwyn, like millions, I can still be an ardent United supporter - but, as it happens, I spent the first 23 years of my life in Salford, looking at United's floodlights from my bedroom window, and was priveleged to watch Best, Law and Charlton train at close quarters at The Cliff.
It's now being said that Wiley's stats prove he's fit enough because he covers more metres than players - what specious nonsense. So what if he runs without stopping to cover such distance. He's still regularly too far away from the action and the foul by Jones on Foster was absolutely clear. Fergie can be a curmudgeon, no doubt, but he's right about Wiley and the video evidence proves it.
- Barry1858, Welwyn
"We shall triumph" says top ManU fan Barry from .... err, Welwyn! Fergie thinks he is above the law (probably because he is) when he should be setting an example. What happened to the 'Respect' campaign, or does it still not apply to Man Utd?
- Paul, London
You've chosen a good pen name Ernie Bilko, because comedy character you certainly are.
All the ABU's are out again, because SAF has a perfectly valid point. Yes, he did make selection errors, but there is no doubt that, for example, Jones fouled Ben Foster with his leading elbow for the goal and Wiley, a major ABU himself was nowhere near the action and thus gave nothing appropriate to the foul. It was ever thus and we shall triumph in the face of the miserable bleaters regardless!
- Barry1858, Welwyn
Whilst I agree that Wiley is patently unfit, hopefully this tirade will ensure that in future Manchester United do not receive any further favourable treatment from this official. Injury time is added on at the discretion of the officials and according to the rules. Not at the whim of a tinpot dictator.
- Blue Baby, London
Well done Alex, Its about time some of these fat refs got in shape. Wiley was puffing like mad after the first five minutes and that was when sunderland were attacking. Imagine his distress when United were in full flow. A butchers dog he is not, more like an overweight sausage dog.
- James, Manchester England
Won't make a jot of difference.....the FA/EPL have already decided the titles going back to Old Trafford, bent, biased officials will see to that....
- Ernie Bilko, surrey
