Although he issued an apology on Saturday, Ferguson remains in the dock having accused the official of not being fit enough after United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
Alan Leighton, national secretary of the referees' union Prospect, called Ferguson's apology 'half-hearted' adding: "It probably exacerbates the position, rather than resolving it."
Ferguson, due to return from a break in New York today, has until Friday to respond to the FA's letter asking for an explanation for his outburst, and could face a hefty fine or even a touchline ban. But Megson, who takes Bolton to Old Trafford on Saturday, is backing the Reds' boss.
"Fergie couldn't have done any more," he said. "He gets hung out to dry because of who he is. He has apologised and then everyone criticises the apology.
"Alan Leighton seems to have a bee in his bonnet about the apology. I have seen him quoted as saying it was half-hearted. But you're dammed if you don't apologise and dammed if you do. If you don't apologise, you get slaughtered. If you do apologise, it's judged as half-hearted.
"What's he supposed to do? He's said something and then having had time to think about it, he's said `sorry.' End of story - move on."
Ferguson rant
Ferguson accused 49-year-old Wiley of "not being fit enough for a game of that standard," following the draw with Sunderland, adding: "The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.
"You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher's dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn't fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He needed a rest. It was ridiculous."
But Megson admits Ferguson's amazing rant and last month's derby furore over extended injury time will increase the pressure on ref Mark Clattenburg when he takes charge of United's game on Saturday.
Clattenburg sent Ferguson off at the Reebok in November 2007 for foul and abusive language, with verbal broadside landing the Reds' boss a two-match touchline ban and £5,000 fine.
"Right from the off Mark Clattenburg is going to come under scrutiny," said Megson.
"Especially after Sir Alex's comments about referees. I think he is a good referee but he will be in the spotlight."
LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has been warned as to his future conduct following a gesture made at referee Phil Dowd in a game at Spurs.
The Spaniard has been cleared of two of three FA charges brought against him but was found guilty of the third - a gesture made with a pair of spectacles which was deemed to be offensive.
What do you think? Have your say.
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IzziesDaddy, Fareham (14/10/2009 at 09:34)
Something is going to happen and i dont expect it to be pretty.
Its an emotional game, the referees need to decide if they want to risk taking this away from the game.
Maybe we should just get technology involved in the game now
Solskjaer20Legend, Epsomville (14/10/2009 at 09:40)
Andy Leighton; Get a grip man!!
Steve, Great Britain (14/10/2009 at 09:44)
Mickeylove (14/10/2009 at 09:49)
The last England game is a good example; Cashley Cole tries a drag-back in the area, loses it and fall on his Ar*e... Then he gets up and heads the ball into his own net!!!
Next day's headlines, "Ferdinand has lost it!"
Ferdi is still far and away the best English player in his position! Let's support our players even more so when they are struggling for form or confidence..... Except the dodgy 'keepers' obviously! :)
Mickeylove - The Crescent
danny, WILMSLOW (14/10/2009 at 10:11)
Mark Clattenburg the thing that surprises me is how he is still a ref he is biased when refs should be impartial.Moyes fell foul of him,but did a number on United in the semi against Everton.As United were refused a 100%penalty everybody in the crowd could see and even the offending player and Moyes agreed it was a penalty.
The year before against Portsmouth similar sort of thing.
I think the Poltics of Fergie has a lot to d with the way we are treated,he is being treated like Gordon Brown.
Private Fraser, Warmington-On-Sea (14/10/2009 at 10:16)
Red Army (14/10/2009 at 10:19)
Well said
Red Rob, Fifth Quadrant (14/10/2009 at 10:20)
He and Sir Alex Ferguson already had history, so surely the authorities must see the near impossible situation the referee has now put himself in: any disputed decisions against United will be seen by OT fans as Clattenburg getting revenge for the 'referees' brrotherhood', while any that go United's way will be seen by the ABUs as the referee trying to make up for his outspoken comments.
As for referees' leader Alan Leighton ... is that the same Alan Leighton who did such a wonderful job running Leeds United, complementing his sterling work with the Royal Mail? 'Nuff said.
Gilly, Belgium (14/10/2009 at 10:20)
Cathy turn the telly up Hen., Manchester (14/10/2009 at 10:55)
So now we have it instead of rightly throwing the book at Fergo he will be let off with a fine and a short touchline ban.
Tick tock you have only two years of him left.
eddy01 (14/10/2009 at 10:56)
14/10/2009 at 10:11
I think you'll find it was Mike Riley who reffed last season's semi v Everton and Moyes made remarks beforehand about Riley favouring Utd.
MUFC1878 (14/10/2009 at 11:09)
Yes, it's the same one. Total idiot, and Leeds scum.
Bill Wirral (14/10/2009 at 11:23)
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (14/10/2009 at 11:24)
14/10/2009 at 10:16
There is only Leighton and you lot baying for blood. You lot because you are petty and so scared of Fergie, it's the only way to beat him and Leighton is just seeking to up his profile.
Quite sad and pathetic really
MUFC1878 (14/10/2009 at 11:30)
Gary Megson, all credit to him is right. If Sir Alex wasn't a name, this would all be forgotten about. I hear now Leighton thinks that SIR Alex shouldn't be referred to as 'Sir'. Maybe he should also be sued for defamation of character.
Referee's are full of their own self importance, and this moron Leighton hasn't got a clue what he's talking about
These countless mistakes can cost a manager his livelihood, yet a few weeks later, referees are out making the same mistakes again and again - if I made so many mistakes in my job, I'd be sacked.
United 18, Huddersfield Town 3, City 2 (League Titles), Wilmslow (14/10/2009 at 11:51)
14/10/2009 at 10:16
Tick Tock.....and OWEN BANGS IT IN THE BITTER BLUE NET....Tick Tock
Duncan, London (14/10/2009 at 12:09)
Cathy Hen clearly you have supported City for so long you have forgotten that the game is about playing football and not seeing managers banned for exposing Wiley's girth in the media spotlight of an after match conference. You are part of what is wrong with the sport these days.
Actually that made me think about what the real answer is. Ban post-match conferences then these silly inquests would never happen. Although Alan Leighton would then miss his opportunity for self promotion on the back of the reputation of a much greater man.
MUFC1878 (14/10/2009 at 12:10)
Using ficticious towns because he-she not really from manchester - not as brave as all the other bitters from africa, australia, and all around the world except manchester
MUFC1878 (14/10/2009 at 12:10)
haha, love it!
Cathy turn the telly up Hen., Manchester (14/10/2009 at 12:34)
How the new owners of City will pump a couple of Billion into the club and leave us (Double Yawn,Yawn), how the rags debt of at least 1'4 Billion is totally managable and anyone who doesn't think so does not understand business practices (Treble Yawn,Yawn,Yawn) How you have the most supporters in the world but don't seem to realise that the swamp only holds 76000 (yawn) How you are going to win everything this season (Yawn) zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Duncan, London (14/10/2009 at 13:11)
United:The team supported by the majority of mancunians (14/10/2009 at 13:11)
14/10/2009 at 12:34
Winning trophies is never boring or yawn inducing. Not that you'll ever find out, Hen!! Trying to build a reputation on what you are going to do, now that's boring (YAWN)
football fan, ontario canada (14/10/2009 at 13:11)
football fan, ontario canada (14/10/2009 at 13:13)
Mick Red, London (14/10/2009 at 13:31)
With regard to the debt, its a fact, not fiction that Utd are and have been for many years one of the few clubs in this country who actually make money so the debts are serviceable via profits!! Unlike City and Chelsea, who living on there owners money, and when the owner goes so does the money, leaving both clubs with a wage bill the infrastructure cant support, so dont worry about Utds debt, worry about city when the Arabs get board and pack off home!!
BTW with regards to the actual article, fining SAF is OK, as long as clubs are able to take financial action against referees when a bad decision costs a team a league position, or a lucrative cup run, the FA and the referees need to lose the untouchable air they have and face up to facts, the game needs technology, and the refs need help!!
Rugby is fast becoming a better run & organised sport in the last decade or so that it has been professional, and football needs to wake up to the world
Rant over
Mick Red