Source: Daily_Mail
Man United boss Ferguson faces five-match ban over Wiley outburst
Sir Alex Ferguson's joy at returning to the top of the Premier League will be deflated on Monday by an FA charge that could lead to Manchester United's manager being banned from the touchline for five matches.
Ferguson was smiling last night as United, pursuing a fourth successive championship, beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at home to replace beaten Chelsea at the top of the table.
Manchester United's Michael Owen
Delight: Michael Owen celebrates Manchester United¿s first goal
But the storm clouds are gathering, with key figures inside football determined that Sir Alex should not get away with his outburst against referee Alan Wiley, whom he branded as 'unfit' following United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland two weeks ago.
Such is the strength of feeling inside the Football Association that Ferguson faces a five-match ban, the heaviest punishment he has suffered in his 23 years at Old Trafford.
In another blow yesterday, United now face the possibility of being banned from buying players after French club Le Havre announced they are to pursue their case with FIFA over United's alleged poaching of French teenager Paul Pogba.
If Le Havre succeed, United could be prevented from buying players, just as Chelsea suffered a ban from the next two transfer windows for allegedly poaching Gael Kakuta from RC Lens.
United took advantage of Chelsea's 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa earlier yesterday by racing into a 2-0 lead against Bolton within 25 minutes, with a Zat Knight own goal and Antonio Valencia's first for the club since signing from Wigan. They took the points despite a 75th minute consolation header from Matt Taylor.
Zat Knight
Take Zat: Knight (left) deflects ball into his own net
Attention will now switch to the Wiley affair. Sir Alex, who has written to the FA to explain his comments, will hear from the Governance Division tomorrow if he is to face an improper conduct charge.
The worst punishments previously meted out to Ferguson were the twomatch touchline bans he received in 2003 for verbally attacking official Jeff Winter and in 2007 for using abusive words towards Mark Clattenburg in a match with Bolton.
Ironically, Clattenburg was in charge of United's game against the same team yesterday. In his programme notes, Ferguson claimed his outburst had been caused partially by anger at his team's display against Sunderland. But that may not impress the game's rulers.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Pogba made his United debut yesterday, being booked as the club's academy side beat Manchester City 3-0.
FIFA issued a provisional international certificate 11 days ago that allowed United to register Pogba. But Le Havre have successfully defended a bid by the teenager's lawyers to overturn the French League's backing for the club, and now say they will pursue their case against United with FIFA.
FIFA could consider the case next month, giving them time to impose sanctions against United before the January transfer window if they find Ferguson's club guilty.
