Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson blasts FA over Wayne Rooney's ban
Sir Alex Ferguson accused the FA of victimising Manchester United by banning him and striker Wayne Rooney, but warned that it would only make his club even stronger.[LNB]The United boss is serving a five-match touchline ban for claiming referee Martin Atkinson was not 'fair', with Rooney suspended for two games after swearing into a camera at West Ham.[LNB]Rage: Wayne Rooney was banned after his foul-mouthed rant at a TV camera[LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Does Fergie go too far with his criticism in interviews? Sir Alex Ferguson launched yet another blast at the Football Association in the wake of Wayne Rooney's failure to reduce his two-match ban for swearing at a TV camera. Manchester United's manager is often outspoken - but does he go too far? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK Asked if he felt the FA had gone out of their way to make an example of United, Ferguson said: 'I don't even need to say that. I think there's an obvious trend at the moment.[LNB]'They have their own way of doing things, different from the clubs, and we're aware of that now. We can't do a thing, but we'll use it.[LNB]'We will be united about it. We're going to be hard to beat, that's for sure.[LNB]'The support will be fantastic now - you watch it. It will be absolutely magnificent. And the players are just defying everything. They never give in.'[LNB]On Rooney's failed appeal against a ban which rules him out of next week's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, Ferguson added: 'Fair is not a word I'm sure you can use any longer. We put an appeal in, the lad wrote his apology for swearing - but obviously I didn't expect to get a result.' [LNB]The United boss claimed that Upton Park referee Lee Mason was pressured into having Rooney banned, but this was rejected last night by FA sources who insisted that they followed standard procedure. They are anxious to damp down any disquiet among officials that Mason has been seen to shoulder the responsibility for Rooney's punishment.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'Mason has now put himself in the spotlight. If he doesn't send a player off for swearing the question will be, has he got double standards? [LNB] Hitting out: Sir Alex Ferguson was speaking during his Friday morning press conference[LNB] 'It is a very difficult position the ladis in. I feel for him. I really do. I don't know where his career is going now. I think he was put under pressure.' [LNB]Rooney's ban follows a crackdown on bad behaviour by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore in support of the FA's Respect campaign, but Ferguson claimed it was 'stupid' to announce the move in mid-season.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'At the start of the season everyone should know where they are, but that's not the case. They've changed halfway. [LNB]'To do it mid-stream like this now seems a bit stupid.'[LNB] Centre of attention: Lee Mason is surrounded by players at Upton Park on Saturday[LNB]He also hit back at a senior West Midlands Police officer, Superintendent Mark Payne, for criticising Rooney and claiming he would expect one of his officers to arrest anybody guilty of the same behaviour on the street.[LNB]Ferguson said: 'Some people maybe feel the need to be noticed. So he's saying they will be arrested? 'Wolverhampton must be an interesting place on a Saturday night!'.[LNB] I'm bamboozled! Giggs leaps to Rooney's defence after Manchester United star loses appeal over two-match swearing banYou stupid boy, Wayne! Star plays victim as FA uphold his suspensionWhat Rooney REALLY said in reaction to his two-match FA ban...I'd have locked Roo up! Senior officer compares striker to drunken yobsAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Alex Ferguson, Martin Atkinson
