Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson banned for five games
The FA got tough with Sir Alex Ferguson, hitting the Manchester United boss with a five-match touchline ban and ?30,000 fine for criticising referee Martin Atkinson at Chelsea earlier this month.[LNB]The punishment is a blow to United's Treble hopes, because Ferguson will be banished to the stands for four Barclays Premier League games and the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.[LNB] Anger management: Sir Alex Ferguson was furious after the defeat at rivals Chelsea[LNB]The Old Trafford boss is now weighing up his options over an appeal. However, he knows that is a gamble as, if he loses, he will be banned for an extra match - the potential title decider with Arsenal on Sunday, May 1.[LNB]Enlarge Ferguson requested a personal hearing to fight a charge of improper conduct, but a four-man commission in Birmingham found him guilty and issued a three-game suspension. That also triggered a suspended two-match ban from 2009, for questioning the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.[LNB]Last night, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti came out in support of Ferguson, saying: 'I think he has always had good behaviour. Five games out is too much.'[LNB]But the FA decided officials had been too frequent ly undermined, including Atkinson and former referees' chief Keith Hackett after an outburst in 2008.[LNB]There was no escape as Ferguson was handed the heaviest punishment of his career after criticising Atkinson over not giving Chelsea's David Luiz a second yellow for fouls on Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney as United lost 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on March 1.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway, and we didn't get that. I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared the worst.'[LNB]United will receive the judgment today and have until Monday to appeal.[LNB]The ban is due to begin on Tuesday, but if Ferguson accepts the commission's decision before tomorrow, the suspension could start with Saturday's home game against Bolton.[LNB]It would then take in Premier League games against West Ham, Fulham and Everton, and the Wembley clash with City, allowing him to return to the dug-out to face Arsenal and Chelsea.[LNB] Controversy: Ferguson felt David Luiz (right) was lucky not to be sent off[LNB] If he loses an appeal, another loophole that could see him back for the visit to the Emirates is a re-arranged match with Newcastle on April 19 or 20. It is doubtful a challenge would be deemed frivolous and deserving of an additional ban, but it could waste valuable time.[LNB]Fergusonappeared with his legaladvisers in Birmingham after signalling his intention to fight thecharge in his programme notes for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Arsenal.[LNB]He wrote: 'I now face an FA charge forwhat, to my mind, was simply telling the truth. I won't be on the backfoot when I put my case to the FA. I don't think sticking up for myteam makes me a villain, especially when you consider that ManchesterUnited have one of the best disciplinary records in the country.'[LNB] Man in the middle: Martin Atkinson feels the wrath of United striker Wayne Rooney[LNB]Arsene Wenger and Avram Grant are also facing disciplinary hearings.[LNB]The Arsenal boss will fight a European touchline ban today with evidence from four of his staff that referee Massimo Busacca inflamed the pair's Barcelona bust-up by being aggressive.[LNB]Wenger tried todispute the decision to send off Robin van Persie for shooting after the whistle but ended up clashing with the official twice following Arsenal's 3-1 defeat. Busacca then reported Wenger and Samir Nasri for using 'inappropriate language'.[LNB]Nasri is likely to escape with a small fine.[LNB]The FA have charged Grant with improper conduct for his comments after West Ham's FA Cup defeat by Stoke. Grant said referee Mike Jones was 'weak' and favoured Stoke after giving them a soft penalty and failing to penalise their 'martial arts' defending.[LNB] Graham Poll: FA come down hard on Fergie over ref rants... and it's about timeFergie charged by FA for ref rant after Manchester United's loss to ChelseaReds rage! Fergie fumes as Chelsea defender Luiz escapes red for Rooney foul Chelsea 2 Manchester United 1: Fergie cries for justice! Sir Alex in blast at referee AtkinsonAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Alex Ferguson, Martin Atkinson, Robin Van Persie, Keith Hackett, Carlo Ancelotti Places: Barcelona, Newcastle, Birmingham
