More fireworks for Fergie?

James Robson

October 21, 2009

SIR Alex Ferguson will be bracing himself for another ref run-in after Andre Marriner was appointed to take charge of United's clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Marriner controversially sent off Paul Scholes the last time he officiated a United match - the 3-1 win against Tottenham last month.

Ferguson, who was this week charged with misconduct by the FA for his verbal attack on referee Alan Wiley, was critical of Marriner at the time.

Scholes was sent off for a second bookable offence after fouling Tom Huddlestone.

Fergie raged: "It was a terrible decision. He was sent off because his name is Paul Scholes.

"I've watched it on a replay twice now and I think the Tottenham boy caught him more than Paul caught the boy."

There will be increasing scrutiny over whoever officiates United's matches in the coming weeks following Ferguson's attack on Wiley.

The United manager accused Wiley of not being fit enough to referee the 2-2 draw with Sunderland earlier this month.

He has since issued an apology and looks likely to escape a touchline ban for his highly contentious remarks.

But the fiery Scot is still clearly irritated by the furore surrounding the affair - storming out of a press conference in Moscow when the issue was raised on Tuesday.

When asked for a reaction to his charge, he said: "Silly question, gets no answer. I've nothing to say about it."

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A Manc and blue (21/10/2009 at 09:33)

Is this because he is rattled

The Trawler, Stockport (21/10/2009 at 10:07)

Marriner refereeing United-Liverpool? Something fishy going on there, surely? What's all that a-boat? I can't sea why they'd choose to appoint him to officiate the game....etc etc.

Drago 34 (21/10/2009 at 10:10)

A Manc and Blue

Once again another bitter to be the first to comment on a UNITED story.Whos the one thats rattled again?

Alias Smith, over the moon (21/10/2009 at 10:16)

Comical press conference yesterday. SAF made it clear he would not talk about the FA charge but stupid journos have to push it. Cue end of press conference!

Gilly, Belgium (21/10/2009 at 10:29)

please lets hope he is fair and fit lol

DarthGorb (21/10/2009 at 10:34)

I much prefer his new black nose to his old red one

Mrs Fullaway`s lodger (21/10/2009 at 10:48)

I feel another Rafa-Rant coming on. He's gotto do something to deter from the 'Pool's p--- poor performances of late. Watch out for it . . .

IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (21/10/2009 at 11:02)

ANOTHER SILLY NON STORY.

The Devil's Advocate, M11 born and bred, East Stand Lower 104 (21/10/2009 at 11:10)

Typically Fergusson walked out of yet another press conference. Just shows, he likes to give it but can't take it - just like his supporters!

NAPOLEON SOLO, THE SCURGE OF T.H.R.U.S.H., WORSLEY (21/10/2009 at 11:33)

The Trawler, Stockport
21/10/2009 at 10:07

YOU MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OF-FISH-IATE.

sara99, Windsor (21/10/2009 at 11:33)

A Manc and blue - I suspect he probably is rattled that reporters choose to focus on what Fergie gets up to rather that the most important thing which is the team and the game, which is what the press conference is supposed to be about. Get back to your own page or is no one talking about your lot anymore?

The Original Blue John, London (21/10/2009 at 11:38)

What on earth was controversial about Marriner sending Scholes off against Spurs? He committed one of his customary atrocious fouls and was rightly dismissed, end of.
PS - Drago 34. Go check out the City page mate. It's stuffed to the gills with boring rags, morning, noon and night

palomablanca, manchester (21/10/2009 at 11:52)

The referee is the last person on Sir Alex Fergusons mind, Only the press & success hungry blues seem to have a fixation over Sir Alex & officials The former to fill pages, The latter pure envy

Algernon Blabbermouth, eccles (21/10/2009 at 11:56)

Not surprised another whinger has got something to say about the Reds on our forum. After all when your team has won 1 in 4 and will be twiddling their thumbs to-night while the Champions are in Moscow..well..lets face it..you've nothing to do really..have you? Perhaps you could organise a "Robbie must stay" petition? I know loads of Reds who will sign it! It will give you some experience for when Carlitos decides to run back to Boca..once he's decided his collection of silverware on't get any larger!
Anyway,regarding the ref on Sunday..I presume the list of referees that Fergie HAS'NT upset must be pretty thin by now so it really does'nt matter! Would rather the M.E.N. concentrate on to-night's game first of all and leave our biggest game of the season until to-morrow!

Cathy turn the telly up it's very noisy next door., Manchester (21/10/2009 at 11:57)

Here we go again, another few complaining phone calls to the F.A because he won't like the appointed official. How long are we going to have to put up with boring old fool?
He has just walked out of another press conference in Moscow because he didn't like being asked questions about 'Wileygate'
I will tell you that we will only have to put up with his antics for another two years because then he will have beaten Matt Busbys United managerial record. Then he can retire to his favourite sofa with Cathy, they can watch old United sucesses on the T.V while he sups a bottle or three of his favourite cheap,snide whisky.

Cathy turn the telly up it's very noisy next door., Manchester (21/10/2009 at 11:59)

How dare the F.A pick someone to officiate a United match without 1st consulting OBF.

Mancinitaly, Calabria (21/10/2009 at 12:03)

All this stuff about Mr Wiley running further than most of the players on the day of the game is nonesense. Footballers are highly tuned athletes whilst with due respect, Mr Wiley is a part-time referee. Different fitness levels and diferent type of fitness required to be a professional footballer. Running 10k in 90 minutes is no great feat even for a 48 year old bloke. I should know I'm 4 years older than Mr Wiley and regularly do 10k in well under an hour. Thing is if SAF said anymore about the issue and the charge he'll only be slagged by all and sundry. The bloke can't win ..... on this one.

bluetev (21/10/2009 at 12:41)

Well, scholes red card was less debatable than say zabaleta v Wigan (2nd yellow justified, 1st one absurd) - if Mark Hughes had complained about it, he would have been criticised for being unsporting but apparently Lord fergie gets away with it - apparently he walked out of a press conference when asked about Wiley. Apart from being plain nasty and vile behaviour, it offers Man U a distinct advantage because refs know favouring manU is the easier option. Can you imagine the beach ball goal being allowed against ManU?

United:The team supported by the majority of mancunians (21/10/2009 at 13:29)

Is this because he is rattled
A Manc and blue,
21/10/2009 at 09:33

Yes, Bertie, he's rattled all the way to the top of the League. Thanks for your interest.

mr.bee, usa (21/10/2009 at 13:42)

I think utd have the right to choose their own ref. this should be a new manditory uefa rule.

Flymo (21/10/2009 at 13:58)

Wasnt Marriner supposed to ref last weeks game aginst Bolton?

A Manc and blue (21/10/2009 at 14:29)

The Trawler, Stockport (21/10/2009 at 14:49)

NAPOLEON SOLO, THE SCURGE OF T.H.R.U.S.H., WORSLEY, 21/10/2009 at 11:33: YOU MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OF-FISH-IATE.

I'd already used 'fishy' so I thought 'of-fish-iate' would look out of plaice.

neal 07, south stand lower (21/10/2009 at 14:51)

whats with all the blue noses posting their blah blah blah comments on our side? dont they have their own Champions League match to focus on??? Or surely at least the Europa league????

Oh thats right you aint in europe...what a massive club you lot are eh?!!! jealousy is a terrible trait!!

Thats why were champions!!!

Acid, Chadderton (21/10/2009 at 14:51)

"Cathy turn the telly up it's very noisy next door., Manchester
21/10/2009 at 11:57 "

That's twice you've posted the same c**p on two stories. You're the best 'copy and paste' artist on here. Get a new scriptwriter Bert.

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