EPL 2009-10 season: Fergie gets touchline ban

LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson was given a four-match touchline ban for improper conduct by the Football Association (FA) yesterday following an outspoken attack on referee Alan Wiley.

The Manchester United manager, who admitted an FA charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as "unfit" after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on Oct 3.

But yesterday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined STG20,000 (RM111,600) and warned as to his future conduct following his "grossly improper and wholly inappropriate" comments about Wiley.

Peter Griffiths, chairman of the regulatory commission which decided Ferguson's punishment, said after yesterday's hearing: "Each member of the commission 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."



ALEX FERGUSON
Ferguson, who will receive the commission's full findings today, has the right of appeal.

The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.

Ferguson accused Wiley of not being "fit enough for a game of that standard" and of "walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest". The 67-year-old Scot has since apologised to Wiley.

Ferguson issued his apology on United's website following comments his remarks had undermined the FA's 'Respect' campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees at all all levels of the game.

"I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views," Ferguson said at the time.

"My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels."

Following his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.

He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an "absolutely ridiculous" position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. -- AFP