EXCLUSIVE: Words you thought you'd never hear Sir Alex Ferguson say...I AM GUILTY!

27 October 2009 10:05
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he was wrong to brand referee Alan Wiley 'unfit' by pleading guilty to an FA charge of improper conduct.[LNB]Sportsmail revealed this morning that the Manchester United manager - at the centre of more controversy over his latest attack on a referee on Sunday - has contacted the FA to admit to the charge.[LNB]The FA have now confirmed Ferguson's confession, which comes just sevendays after he was given until a week today to make a formal response tothe charge.[LNB] Holding up his hands: Sir Alex Ferguson will admit the FA charge over his comments on Alan Wiley (left)[LNB]He has broken new ground by replying to the FA far more swiftly than was necessary, having previously taken disciplinary cases against him to the wire, and has asked for a personal hearing. A date is in the process of being set.[LNB]        HAVE YOUR SAY...     Is Fergie right - was Andre Marriner too inexperienced to referee Liverpool v United? Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claims that referee Andre Marriner does not have enough big games under his belt to handle a major match like Liverpool v Manchester United. Do you agree with him? Or is it just another case of sour grapes from Sir Alex? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK It is being taken as a sign that he wants a speedy resolution to the highly-charged affair just as badly as the referees who have called for the Old Trafford chief to be hit with a UEFA-style coaching ban.[LNB]Ferguson faces a three-match touchline ban for his comments, which would take the FA halfway to satisfying the demands of referees' union Prospect.[LNB]Since his outburst against Wiley following United's 2-2 draw against Sunderland on October 3, Ferguson has felt the backlash, with huge public support for referees in their campaign for a deterrent against excessive criticism.[LNB]With an exclusive Sportsmail breakdown of Wiley's performance having shown the referee was on top of the Old Trafford game, Ferguson was moved to issue a public apology. However, it is not known whether Ferguson has made his promised personal apology to the 49-year-old official. [LNB]Disciplinary chiefs spent yesterday studying Ferguson's broadside against referee Andre Marriner following United's 2-0 loss to Liverpool, in which the official's experience was questioned, but they decided Ferguson did not cross the line this time.[LNB] Ref row: Wayne Rooney (centre) protests to referee Andre Marriner after Michael Owen was brought down by Jamie Carragher during a fractious north-west derby[LNB] Surprise, surprise: Fergie rages at ref after Liverpool and Torres stun UnitedDon't give up the day job, Rio: Ferdinand has to forget the red carpet and fix his poor formGraham Poll's Official Line: Sir Alex, you're wrong - Vidic rightly saw red United manager Sir Alex storms out of press conference over Wiley grillingGraham Poll: The official line - it is clear referee Alan Wiley is fit for the jobMANCHESTER UNITED FC

Source: Daily_Mail