Source: SKY_Sports
Fergie power concerns Martinez
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Wigan boss Roberto Martinez believes Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson holds too much power in English football.[LNB] The Spaniard, in his debut season in the top flight after taking charge at the DW Stadium in the summer, feels that the Football Association are overawed by the veteran Old Trafford boss.[LNB]And he claims that Ferguson has other Premier League managers on his side in his battles with Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez, giving him an unfair advantage over the Anfield chief.[LNB]Ferguson has admitted an FA charge of improper conduct following his comments over the fitness of referee Alan Wiley after the draw with Sunderland earlier this month.[LNB]The Scot, who also questioned the experience of Andre Marriner following their weekend defeat by Liverpool, faces a personal hearing for his comments regarding Wiley.[LNB]But Martinez believes other managers would have been hit with more decisive action than the Scot has so far.[LNB]Crushed"They (the FA) have just sanctioned Ferguson for saying that referee was not fit enough and the truth is that they're almost apologising to him for punishing him," Martinez told Spanish newspaper AS.[LNB]"Any other coach would have been crushed for that.[LNB]"Ferguson has been here for a lifetime and that carries a lot of weight."[LNB]Martinez's comments echo those of fellow Spaniard and Liverpool manager Benitez, who the Latics boss believes is unfairly targeted by some managers.[LNB]"Ferguson has his group of faithfuls, people who are committed to him: Steve Bruce, who was a player with him, Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, and others," Martinez said.[LNB]"On the other side there's Rafa Benitez and he gets attacked from all sides."[LNB]
