Source: Daily_Mail
Alex Ferguson's fine should have gone to Japan, blasts Blackpool's Ian Holloway
Naughty boy: Sir Alex Ferguson (right) has been handed a five-match touchline ban by the FA[LNB]Ian Holloway launched a scathing attack on the FA for pocketing Sir Alex Ferguson's ?30,000 fine and insisted it should have gone to a charity or the Japan disaster relief fund.[LNB] The Blackpool manager described his Manchester United counterpart's five-game touchline ban as 'madness' and claimed the FA were rubbing salt in the wound with their policy over fines. [LNB]He called for an urgent rethink after revealing how he failed with a request that Blackpool's ?25,000 penalty for fielding a weakened team at Aston Villa should be paid to their youth team coach Gary Parkinson, whose recent stroke was exacerbated by 'locked-in syndrome', a condition that has left him paralysed.[LNB] 'What do the FA need the money for, and what right have they got to it, anyway?' he said. 'Why can't they help the rest of the world, for a change, and do something useful with it? [LNB]'You don't mind quite so much if it goes towards a charity, and when you think of what is happening to so many people in Japan at the moment, it could easily have gone there.[LNB] 'When we were fined, I got the club to ask the FA if they could give the money to Gary Parkinson and his wife. That's where I wanted it to go, but we didn't even get a reply.' [LNB]Ferguson is furious at the severity of his ban, and Holloway fears United could suffer on and off the pitch. [LNB] Shooting from the lip: Blackpool manager Ian Holloway[LNB]'Mike Phelan (United's assistant-manager) lives near me and was walking out of the local Spar shop yesterday,' he said. 'I wound my window down and congratulated him on beating Marseille the night before. He said it had been a bit tight, then added: "Have you heard? He's got five matches. Can you imagine what he's going to be like tomorrow morning? God help us."[LNB] 'I just laughed and thought: "I'm glad I'm not in your shoes, mate, going into Carrington to face that." I wouldn't have relished it too much. [LNB]'When you think how important Sir Alex is to that team, and how much influence he has on them, it's going to be a massive blow for them to be without him that long. I know how I felt when I was banned for two games. It's a nightmare. [LNB]'He is the pulse, the heartbeat of that team, but when you are looking on from somewhere up in the stand, you feel detached. You can try and communicate with ear pieces, but it's difficult with all the noise going on. [LNB]'It's just not the same as being down there on the touchline, and, if you asked him now, I bet Sir Alex wishes he hadn't said anything. I still make United favourites for the title, but this is going to hit them hard.' [LNB] Arsenal manager Wenger casts doubt over summer trip to JapanFergie accepts five-match ban despite blasting FA rap for 'telling the truth' Forward thinking: Fergie reconsider Rooney role for Bolton clashThe Firing Line: Crunch time! Martinez's career at a crossroads[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Ian Holloway, Mike Phelan Places: Japan
