United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted a charge of improper conduct following his comments on the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.
Ferguson, who criticised Wiley following his team’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3, has requested a personal hearing. The date for that has yet to be decided.
The United boss, 67, has faced calls for him to be given a lengthy touchline ban by the referees’ union Prospect as a consequence of the comments.
Ferguson said after the draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford that 49-year-old Wiley was struggling to keep up with the match.
“I was disappointed with the referee,” Ferguson said. ”He didn’t add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.
“He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.
“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 was needing a rest. It was ridiculous.”
Although the Scot apologised for the comments on October 12, he was charged with improper conduct by the FA last week.
Biased
Ferguson apologised “for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused - and to the FA for going public with my views”.
He added: “I would wish it to be noted that I have always respected Mr Wiley’s integrity and that I did not state or imply that Mr Wiley is a bad referee, that he was in any way biased, that decision-making generally during the game was poor, or that he missed any key incident during the game.
“My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe 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.”
Alan Leighton, national secretary of referees’ union Prospect, said: “We welcome the fact that he (Ferguson) has admitted his guilt and hope he will now dedicate himself to furthering the Respect agenda.
“If I was someone on the panel I might be asking him for a commitment to not do the same thing again.
“It’s his prerogative to request a personal hearing and it’s up to the FA now to decide what punishment to give him.”
Although Ferguson also questigoned whether referee Andre Marriner had the experience to deal with Sunday’s high-profile game between United and Liverpool at Anfield, Leighton believes there are some signs of progress.
“We have noticed that some of the managers are now discussing the referee’s performances in more measured tones and in a constructive way,” he added.
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tripone, canada (27/10/2009 at 10:36)
Bluekev, Stockport (27/10/2009 at 10:53)
In other news , The moon is not made of Cheese , Christmas is in December and Manchester United have Large Debts !
danny, WILMSLOW (27/10/2009 at 10:55)
It seems these days Rio is more interested in the film buisness than United buisness,the sad thing is Fergie is making so many big mistakes,he let Shawcrosss go he is a big powerfull lad who can play in either box also Pique now recognised as one of the best there is and he plays a Donkey and a Ballerina the Donkey does his best but they are very limited and will do anything for a carrot.
De lAET is a brilliant young player and Fergie would rather play VDS at right back than let him or Fabio or Raphael have a regular run.
Fergie is going downhill quicker than an Alpine landslide.
Now he is apologising perhaps he should apologise to the fans for selling some of our best players because of his own super ego.
ted knott, droylsden (27/10/2009 at 11:41)
The referees association want him banned and quite rightly so,the FA are stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea because they either favour him or or feared of him they simply dont know how to act on this it seems.
In the likely event of YET another warning the messages sent out will be there is actually seperate rules for MUFC and their manager moreso it will undermind the referees association.Finally their boss Keith Hackett has kept a very low profile on the issue which adds to the strange and dubious nature of the whole buisness there is NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT !!!
Since66, Amersham (27/10/2009 at 11:41)
Fact is, we're pretty much the same as last season but minus Ronaldo (don't count Tevez). Obviously Ronaldo is a huge miss, but thanks to SAF I suspect we got an extra year from him anyway. He was going to go the previous year, but for SAF, I believe.
Undoubtedly Giggs, Scholes and Neville are near/at the end of their careers. Nani has not come on as everyone expected. Ando, ditto, although one still has high hopes because he clearly has a great footballing brain. Carrick is struggling for form, but has done it over the last 3 years. SAF has persevered with Fletch because he saw something the majority of nay-sayers here didn't and is now a valued player. Hargo would have been great if he hadn't been knackered, but hopefully will come back. But blame the medics for that - presumably SAF took advice at the time, which clearly proved to be wrong. Valencia is starting slowly, but clearly has potential - probably will prove a good buy.
Finally, though it's hard to get to the truth on these things, it seems all the players we had an interest in over the summer preferred to go to Madrid etc. than Manchester. Shame, but it's better to have players who WANT to play for United than those who only come for the money.
So, overall, can one really blame SAF for injuries, losses of form or players not developing at the pace they were expected to? Considering all that, surely it's great management that sees us where we are and where we have been over the last 3 years.
Roy (27/10/2009 at 11:51)
Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (27/10/2009 at 12:08)
It says that he admits he was wrong!!!
IS IT REALLY 33 YEARS, TAMESIDE (27/10/2009 at 12:09)
The "ORIGINAL" Real Ferrari, Toulouse (27/10/2009 at 12:09)
When the seagulls follow the trawler, N Ireland (27/10/2009 at 12:09)
Bill Wirral (27/10/2009 at 12:09)
One of the best posts I've ever read and agree 100% with your comments. Well said mate.
GC Northstand (27/10/2009 at 12:12)
So Shawcross is the answer - he was snapped up by sorry who was it again oh yes Stoke City.
Not replaced Beckham err one Christiano Ronaldo comes to mind
Last season this defence broke the record for clean sheets and guess what the back 4 was rotated.
We remeber all you comments regarding Fletcher, Giggs and Scholes but to suggest that SAF apologises to the the fans is a little rich coming from a man who has nothing good to say and never walks through the turnstile.
I don't accept your argument that the nurses keep you strapped in all day on match days you definitely need to get out more.
Macca, Cornwall (27/10/2009 at 12:13)
Who in your eyes would/could do a better job? Do you honestly not think he knows he has some good young players coming through the ranks, players that need to bide their time instead of getting thrown in at the deep end when they are not ready and killed off before their careers have even started? The last 3 years have been up there with the most successful periods of Uniteds history, whilst having to fight off clubs with much bigger resources, but that is still clearly not good enough for you.
I usually just look at your posts and laugh, but its getting boring now.
Looking forward to seeing a lot of the fringe players tonight, hopefully a few goals for Owen, before a big game on saturday where we will need a big response from the players.
nyb, ex manc (27/10/2009 at 12:16)
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (27/10/2009 at 12:21)
Champions Yes We Are!! Champions Champions Yes We Are!!
Pathetic comments... on this side anyway.
Fergusons Red Army !!
You know the one, you buy one you get one free., Blue Heaven (27/10/2009 at 12:22)
Now if it can happen to a club that size with only a fraction of the debt of United what are the chances of the banks calling in their loans to ManYoo?
Red Army (27/10/2009 at 12:46)
I will be at Barnsley tonight you watch the highlights on MUTV and then make some more pathetic judgements on the great man. These kids aren't ready for this level yet, not strong enough or wise enough.
Are club will be left in great shape once Fergie decides enough is enough, we have learnt well from what happened after Sir Matt
Utd4Ever (27/10/2009 at 12:51)
MancJD, Manchester (27/10/2009 at 12:51)
Rob Lawrence (27/10/2009 at 13:00)
Englisc Stannes, North Manchester (27/10/2009 at 13:03)
Giggsy's chest rug! (27/10/2009 at 13:04)
At this point in time, im more concerned about how we will replace Scholes and Giggs, and why rooneys form has dropped after such a bright start to the season!
Jack Thorley Trafford, Timperley (27/10/2009 at 13:05)
I noticed shortly after that a very tall high ranking police officer positioned him self between the two technical areas, guess what ! Fergie remained seated for the rest of the match.
danny, WILMSLOW (27/10/2009 at 13:16)
I have watched United for over 50yrs virtually in every country they have ever played Northstand how old are you 10yr!
Fergie is passed his sell buy date he gets out thought by novice managers on a regular basis and I would sack him. His tactics are diabolical and the united players and other coaches have said as much.
You are just a sheep with no vision or idea how can our great young players shine if they don’t play on a regular basis.
He buys crap and sells good players.
Berbatov Rio Carrick Nani over 100 million down the pan.
Glazers are pulling Fergies strings and he now has lost it 3 titles great Yes then we had Ronaldo!
jordy, Middleton (27/10/2009 at 13:25)