Source: Daily_Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson to escape with ONE game ban for attack on referee
Sir Alex Ferguson has launched an extraordinary defence of his behaviour in criticising referee Martin Atkinson after Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea. [LNB]But while United's manager looks certain to be found guilty of improper conduct by the Football Association, insiders at the club expect him to receive only a one-matchban for appearing to question Atkinson's fairness. [LNB]On Saturday night Ferguson was in upbeat mood after his side's 2-0 defeat of Arsenal in their FA Cup sixth-round tie at Old Trafford.[LNB]But earlier he launched a robust rebuttal of the FA charge against him. [LNB] Upbeat mood: Sir Alex Ferguson gets back to winning ways with Manchester United[LNB]He claimed he had done nothing wrong and attacked Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and former England boss Graham Taylor for criticising his behaviour. [LNB]Best of enemies: Ferguson has hit back at Kenny Dalglish[LNB]Ferguson, who imposed a media blackout for nine days after the Chelsea game, said: 'I was disappointedwith Graham Taylor, who wrote that I had to take the rough with the smooth. [LNB]'I think back to when he was England manager and was complaining to a linesman: 'The referee has got me the sack'. People have short memories. [LNB]'Kenny Dalglish looked to be lecturing me in the papers about the need to respect referees, perhaps forgetting that not so long ago his players were tweeting critically allover the place about Howard Webb.'[LNB]Ferguson's comments were a reference to a mock-up picture of World Cup final referee Webb in a Manchester United shirt posted on Twitter by Ryan Babel in the aftermath of Liverpool's FA Cup third-round defeat at Old Trafford in January, earning the Dutchman a ?10,000 fine.[LNB]Taylor's comments came during England's failure to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. [LNB]The charge against Ferguson is expected to be heard this week by a three-man disciplinary committee. [LNB] Under fire: Ferguson slammed referee Martin Atkinson (left) for his display during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Chelsea[LNB]If found guilty, a two-match suspended ban, which has been hanging over Ferguson since November 2009 for claiming referee Alan Wiley was unfit, will come into force.[LNB]The commission would be likely to impose an additional ban, but Old Trafford sources insist this would be for only one match. [LNB]They claim that Ferguson, supported by the League Managers Association, should get off lightly because he backtracked on his criticism of Atkinson in the offending interview. [LNB]Ferguson added in yesterday's programme notes: 'I face a charge for telling the truth.'[LNB] DES KELLY: One-eyed men, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, are blind to realityManchester United 2 Arsenal 0: Wayne Rooney rounds off a week to forget for WengerUnited boss Ferguson to appeal FA charge over comments on ref Atkinson after Chelsea defeatYou think you've had a tough week, Arsene? Try being me, says Ferguson MANCHESTER UNITED FC
