Source: Eurosport
Ferguson accepts FA charge
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted a charge of improper conduct following his comments on the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.[LNB] Ferguson, who criticised Wiley following his team's 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3, has requested a personal hearing. The date for that has yet to be decided.[LNB] The United boss, 67, has faced calls for him to be given a lengthy touchline ban by the referees' union Prospect as a consequence of the comments.[LNB] Ferguson said after the draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford that 49-year-old Wiley was struggling to keep up with the match.[LNB] "I was disappointed with the referee,'' Ferguson said. "He didn't add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.[LNB] "He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.[LNB] "The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.[LNB] "You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit.[LNB] "He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous.''[LNB] Although the Scot apologised for the comments on October 12, he was charged with improper conduct by the FA last week.
