Source: Telegraph
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney warned about future conduct by FA
Rooney's comment, which seemed to refer to the performance of referee Martin Atkinson, appears to transgress FA directives on players and managers not questioning the integrity of an official. On reviewing footage of the incident, though, the FA has decided not to pursue the matter further. [LNB]Atkinson was also blamed by Sir Alex Ferguson for a succession of mistakes in the build-up to John Terry's winning goal, which left United five points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's side in the Premier League title race. [LNB] Related ArticlesKevin Garside: Ferguson, and football, still don't get RespectDebate: is the title race over?Man brushes at Chelsea v Man UCarlo Ancelotti unhappy with United protestsSport on televisionManchester United's big problem is in front of goalFerguson decried Atkinson's positioning for the goal as "ridiculous" and suggested his performance was such that he and his players were "losing faith" in referees. Sources at the FA confirmed, though, that the Scot would not face any censure for his remarks because they did not imply bias, constitute a personal attack or question Atkinson's integrity. [LNB]Ferguson, who will attend an FA hearing on Thursday to discover the outcome of his charge of improper conduct over remarks made about the fitness of Atkinson's colleague, Alan Wiley, after United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland last month, had suggested the free-kick which led to the goal should not have been given and insisted Didier Drogba had fouled Wes Brown as the pair jostled in the box. [LNB]"Clearly, Darren Fletcher won the ball," he said. "Ashley Cole has just jumped in the air and then Drogba has pulled Brown to the ground for the goal. The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he cannot see anything. He had a Chelsea player standing right in front of him and he does not even move. [LNB]"It was a bad decision but there is nothing we can do about it. You lose your faith in refereeing sometimes. That is the way the players are talking in there."[LNB]The comments, though, amount merely to Ferguson expressing his opinion on the official's performance and does not transgress the new guidelines, introduced this summer as part of the FA's Respect campaign. [LNB]Ferguson is likely to receive a far harsher punishment in the Wiley case, though. His comments on the official's fitness were deemed to constitute a personal attack and he can expect a hefty fine, although sources at the FA have not ruled out either a touchline ban or a stadium ban. A litany of previous incidents could convince the FA to come down hard on the Scot. [LNB]Ferguson had questioned Wiley's ability to keep up with play, suggesting the referee was deliberately "taking 30 seconds" to book players to allow himself a "breather", and despite an apology for causing "any personal embarrassment" Ferguson did not, notably, either retract or apologise for the remarks themselves he was charged with improper conduct.[LNB]
