Source: Telegraph
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admits charge of improper conduct
The Manchester United manager, charged by the FA on Oct 19 as a result of remarks which criticised the fitness of Staffordshire official Wiley following the 2-2 Old Trafford draw with Sunderland, had been expected to plead guilty to the charge after issuing a public apology for his comments earlier this month. [LNB]Ferguson's apology was criticised by Alan Leighton, the general secretary of referees' union Prospect, for being 'half-hearted' and failing to admit regret for comments which alluded to a lack of fitness throughout top flight officials. [LNB] Related ArticlesThe Daily Bung: Whine Flu hits footballGabriel Obertan to make United debut against BarnsleyFerguson rejects claims Robins saved his jobMark Robins: I saved Fergie's job but he never thanked meFerguson warns Rio Ferdinand to find his formNottm Forest 1 Barnsley 0But Ferguson is now facing punishment in the form of a fine and possibly a touchline ban having chosen to accept the charge ahead of the Nov 3 deadline to respond. [LNB]Ferguson, who is being advised by Graham Bean, the former FA compliance officer, will aim to reduce the severity of any sanction, however, by explaining his comments, and the motivation behind them, at a personal hearing, which has yet to be finalised. [LNB]The Ferguson camp believe that they can avoid a touchline ban on the grounds that no manager has previously been issued with such a ban as a result of post-match comments. [LNB]Touchline bans have previously only be applied as punishment for behaviour in the dugout or on the touchline. By apologising for his comments, Ferguson also hopes that the FA will look favourably on his contrition. [LNB]The Scot, 67, has escaped further censure following post-match comments directed at West Midlands official Andre Marriner in the wake of the 2-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday. [LNB]Ferguson questioned Marriner's experience to handle such an explosive fixture after seeing Nemanja Vidic dismissed for the third successive game against Liverpool. [LNB]FA chiefs have ruled out a charge for Ferguson, but he is likely to be hit with a stiff penalty after now admitting his guilt over the Wiley comments.[LNB]
