Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson fumes over five-match ban but undecided over appeal
Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out after being handed a five-match touchline ban by the FA, saying that football is 'the only industry where you can't tell the truth'.[LNB]Ferguson learned of his punishment after a disciplinary hearing forcomments made about referee Martin Atkinson following Manchester United's 2-1defeat at Chelsea earlier this month. [LNB]The Old Trafford boss is clearly not happy but is yet to decide whether to appeal against his punishment. But he has vowed to defend himself strongly and the outcome was clearly a shock.[LNB] Anger management: Sir Alex Ferguson was furious after the defeat at rivals Chelsea[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]'It is disappointing,' he said. 'It is the only industry where you can't tell the truth. But it is in the past now.' [LNB]The FA got tough with Ferguson on Wednesday, hitting him with the ban and ?30,000 fine for criticising Atkinson.[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]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] Controversy: Ferguson felt David Luiz (right) was lucky not to be sent off[LNB]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]
