Source: Daily_Mail
Fergie to reignite row over 'unfit' refs as United boss attends Wiley hearing
Sir Alex Ferguson will claim that Barclays Premier League referees need more stringent fitness tests when he appears before the FA today on an improper conduct charge.[LNB]Manchester United manager Ferguson has already pleaded guilty to the charge that he received after accusing referee Alan Wiley of being unfit following his team's 2-2 home draw with Sunderland on October 3.[LNB] Outburst: Sir Alex Ferguson raged at Alan Wiley (right)[LNB]But he will appear before the FA to offer mitigation and it is understood that he will outline his fears for the future of the game if officials don't improve their general levels of fitness.[LNB]Ferguson will tell the hearing that he regrets his comments about Wiley and that he didn't mean them to be interpreted as a personal attack on the Staffordshire official.[LNB]But even though Prozone stats leaked to Sportsmail followingthe Sunderland game showed that Wiley ran further than many of his ownplayers, Ferguson will suggest that fitness tests for referees andlinesmen should me more regular and that the football authoritiesshould look to increase their levels of physical conditioning.[LNB]Off: Wiley dismissed Sunderland midfielder Kieran Richardson against Manchester United[LNB]Ferguson could be banned from the touchline, such was the severity of his attack on Wiley.[LNB]Speaking after the game, Ferguson said: "He just wasn't fit enough for a game of that stature.[LNB]'It's an indictment of our game that we see referees from abroad who are fit as butchers' dogs. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player because he needed a rest.'[LNB]Ferguson later issued his apology in the wake of strong criticism, although the Scot maintained his assertion that the fitness of referees in the Premier League remained an issue to be discussed.[LNB]'I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks mayhave caused and to the FA for going public with my views,' he said.[LNB]'My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels.'[LNB]No manager in English football has been banned from the touchline for comments made about referees after a game. It is therefore expected that Ferguson will receive a heavy fine and a suspended ban that will only come in to force if he offends again.[LNB]The refereeing community understandably hope that Ferguson will receive an outright ban in order to act as a deterrent.[LNB] EXCLUSIVE: ProZone proves Fergie got it so wrong over 'unfit' ref Wiley GRAHAM POLL: The official line - Forget Fergie, a REAL refereeing crisis is looming EXCLUSIVE: Words you thought you'd never hear Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson say: I AM GUILTY!United manager Sir Alex storms out of press conference over Wiley grillingFA must 'severely punish' Sir Alex Ferguson for United boss's Alan Wiley comments and stop abuse for good, blasts referees' trade unionEXCLUSIVE: Ref Wiley in quit threat over Ferguson's rant at Man UnitedMan Utd 2 Sunderland 2: Ferdinand own goal rescues a point for leadersMANCHESTER UNITED FC
