Source: Telegraph
Sir Alex Ferguson handed twomatch touchline ban for 'unfit ' referee comments
Ferguson has also been fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct at a personal hearing at the FA's headquarters in London today. [LNB]The Manchester United manager publically labelled Wiley as "unfit" after his side were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on Oct 3. [LNB] Related ArticlesNani risks Ferguson's wrathFamous Ferguson fall-outsJeff Winter: referees wary of Sir Alex FergusonFerguson to demand referees get fitterBullying referees crossing the lineSport on televisionFerguson's comments about the Staffordshire official provoked anger among the refereeing community with calls for the FA to impose a Uefa-style touchline ban. [LNB]While the FA decided against imposing a ban which would have denied the Scot access to the players and the dressing-room area on a match day, they have taking the unprecedented decision to hand Ferguson at least a two-match touchline ban. [LNB]Peter Griffiths QC, who chaired the commission, said: "Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson's achievements and stature within the game. [LNB]"Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities. [LNB]"The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. [LNB]"He should never have said what he did say." [LNB]Ferguson had issued a public apology to Wiley in the aftermath of his comments, but it was labelled "half-hearted" by Alan Leighton, the national secretary of Prospect, the union which represents referees. [LNB]The United manager, however, was keen to stress that his comments were simply to highlight what he regarded 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]Despite criticism for his attack on Wiley, Ferguson continued to be outspoken in his comments about referees. [LNB]Following his side's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance. [LNB]He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an "absolutely ridiculous" position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. [LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]
