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Sir Alex Ferguson gets a £20,000 fine and ban after referee insult
Andrew Hodgson12 Nov 2009
Sir Alex Ferguson was warned today that his outstanding record in football did not give him licence to say what he likes about referees.
The Manchester United boss was handed a four-match touchline ban for his comments about Alan Wiley after Manchester United's 2-2 draw against Sunderland last month.
Two of the matches will be suspended until the end of next season, while Ferguson was also given a £20,000 fine for suggesting Wiley was “just wasn't fit enough” to officiate in the Barclays Premier League.
The Scot later apologised for any personal embarrassment caused to Wiley, claiming the comments were to only made to highlight an “important issue in the game”.
But the United manager received a rebuke in person today from Peter Griffiths QC, chairman of an FA regulatory commission, at a London hotel.
Griffiths, who chaired the commission, said: “Each member 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.”
Ferguson will now be missing from the touchline for the Premier League matches at home to Everton on 21 November and the trip to Portsmouth the following weekend.
The suspended sanction will be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010-11 season.
Ferguson has a history of improper conduct charges for incidents involving officials and today's verdict will not please referees' union Prospect, whose chief Alan Leighton had called for him to be banned from stadiums.
In the 2007-08 season the United boss was given a two-match touchline ban and fined for a rant at Mark Clattenburg during a match at Bolton.
And during the last campaign he was banned for two games and fined £10,000 after remonstrating with Mike Dean after the home game with Hull.
Reader views (11)
The punishment wasn't necessary.Fans, managers, refs, players,they all behave badly at times. Part of the game these days, as is DIVING. Fans glea with pleasure when a diver wins a penalty. So it is the refs who are easily fooled by divers who should be banned from the stadiums!
- Ben, Nairobi, Kenya, 13/11/2009 05:31
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Ferguson has no class.....none. He should take a leaf out of the book of his old friend walter Smith or consult with Roy Hodgson of Fulham. Get some humility Ferguson, better still quit while you are ahead.
Ray, expat (Scot) in USA
- Ray Jarvis, marlborough USA, 12/11/2009 22:52
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Hopefully, his ill-conceived bully tactics will haunt him for the rest of this season.His players always seem to be intimidated.
- Willink, exeter, 12/11/2009 19:49
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rules for one, and punishment for everyone elss
- Henry, belfast, n,ireland, 12/11/2009 19:18
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Is that really the conduct of a Knight? Aren't they mean't to be above reproach?You can take the man out of Glasgow etc etc
- Rob, london, 12/11/2009 18:47
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Rooney next?
- Baldini, London England, 12/11/2009 18:00
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Let managers say what they like. What harm does it really do? The erosion of free speech in the UK is absurd, so many busy-body regulators just trying to boost their own ego by imposing nonsensical rules on the rest of us.
- Mike, Maidstone, Kent, 12/11/2009 17:47
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wrigleys should stop sponsoring him
- Goonerboy1, essex, england, 12/11/2009 17:21
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As further punishment, Ferguson's been told that he'll have to spend the entire of the match away to Pompey sat next to the fat tattooed bloke with the bell.
- Kc, Upminster, 12/11/2009 16:05
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Red nose gets away with it,will anybody ever stand up to him.He has the privilege of being the manager of one of the best clubs in the world and behaves like a hooligan.Matt Busby had great success and was a gentleman that we were proud of.
- G.Diamond, Romford Essex, 12/11/2009 15:52
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The man is a rude, uneducated oaf. It is painful to see such a prat given so much publicity.
- Nick Holland, glasgow, 12/11/2009 15:13
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