Source: Daily_Mail
David Gill claims Manchester United are victimised
ShareManchester United chief executive David Gill claims the FA victimised the Old Trafford club last season by handing out unfair punishments to Wayne Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson.[LNB]Gill, an FA board member, criticised the decision to hand out a five-match touchline ban to United boss Ferguson and a two-match ban to striker Rooney towards the end of last season.[LNB]Ferguson was banned for comments made about referee Martin Atkinson after a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea and Rooney was cited for a foul-mouthed tirade into a TV camera at Upton Park.[LNB] Victimised: David Gill claims the ban given to Wayne Rooney for swearing on live TV (above) was harsh[LNB]But Gill believes that the punishments would not have been as severe were the two not representing the 19-time league winners.[LNB]Gill is quoted in Champ19ns, a book by Steve Bartram about last year's title-winning campaign, as saying: 'I do genuinely believe there have been some poorish decisions that, in my opinion, wouldn't necessarily have hit other clubs.[LNB]'That's not to say I'm condoning Wayne's comments, because I don't think they were correct, or what Sir Alex said, because it wasn't helpful. But at the same time, the actual punishments were harsh.[LNB] Banned: Sir Alex Ferguson criticised referee Martin Atkinson for sending off Nemanja Vidic (above)[LNB]'We're possibly being caught up in being one of the biggest clubs and the [FA's] Respect agenda being there.[LNB]'What better way to demonstrate the authorities are being tough than by hitting one of the biggest clubs the hardest?'[LNB]Gill was particularly critical of the ban handed out to England striker Rooney, claiming that it has set a dangerous precedent.[LNB] Dangerous precedent: Gill criticised the FA's handling of the Rooney incident[LNB]He said: 'The club doesn't condone it [Rooney's swearing], but Wayne recognised it was wrong and apologised almost immediately,' said Gill.[LNB]'We have various issues with the ban: one being consistency. What's going to happen now? Is the referee under pressure to send everyone off?[LNB]'I think sometimes in celebration people do swear and all that means is that, to my mind, it's a dangerous course the FA has gone down, because consistent application is what's required and I'm not sure that'll necessarily happen. There are certain things you should wait until the start of the season to change.[LNB] Unhappy: David Gill (left) with Sir Alex Ferguson (right) and former United captain Gary Neville (centre)[LNB]'But it's a lesson to Wayne. He subsequently scored a great goal against Chelsea and smiled - that's what we want to see.[LNB]'There should be exuberance, but you look at the abuse to which he was subjected [by West Ham supporters] and I know people say you've got to rise above it, but I defy anyone being vilified to that level always to retain your cool.[LNB]'I don't think the media helped either, with the constant repetition of footage, with his mouth blurred out.'[LNB] De Gea targets Champions League in debut season at Old TraffordStirling work! Even in the summer, Sir Alex Ferguson picks up another gongAll the latest Man United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Wayne Rooney, Alex Ferguson, David Gill, Martin Atkinson Places: United Kingdom
