Ferguson hopeful of avoiding a touchline ban over verbal attack on Wiley
October 20th, 2009 - 5:25 pm ICT by ANI
London, Oct 20(ANI): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been charged with improper conduct by the FA for his verbal attack on referee Alan Wiley, is pinning his hopes on avoiding a touchline ban by citing past cases in his defence.
The controversy was sparked after Man U’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland on 3 October, where Ferguson had said: “The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He (Wiley) was not fit.”
Though Ferguson did apologize to Wiley, he could face a hefty fine or a touchline ban if found guilty.
Meanwhile, Ferguson’s defence team will argue that as the alleged offence occurred away from the technical area, Man U manager should not face a touchline ban, The Mirror reports.
It also has to be noticed that no manager has ever been hit with a touchline ban for post-match remarks.
The FA had earlier released a statement over the controversy, which said: “Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct.”
“The charge relates to media comments made by Ferguson about referee Alan Wiley following United’s match against Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3. He has until November 3 to respond to the charge,” the statement added. (ANI)
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- Ferguson 'spitting mad' after getting five-match touchline ban - Mar 17, 2011
- Man U angry about referees' seeking action against Fergie - Oct 08, 2009
- Ferguson escapes FA action over verbal attack on referee - Jan 05, 2010
- Wenger accuses Alan Wiley of being over-friendly with Man U stars - Oct 17, 2009
- FA should banish Fergie for good, says referee union official - Oct 07, 2009
- Fergie becomes UK Referees Association Life President - Apr 01, 2011
- Ferguson may face a touchline ban for verbally attacking referee - Oct 04, 2009
- Rooney ban: Fergie claims Man U is the victim - Apr 09, 2011
- Man U's Ferguson takes a dig at another referee - Oct 26, 2009
- Fergie-referee row could now head for court - Oct 11, 2009
- Managers Ferguson, Moyes disciplined by FA - Nov 19, 2008
Tags: 3 october, alan wiley, alex ferguson, controversy, defence team, game, hopeful, improper conduct, london, manchester united, match, media comments, mirror, offence, old trafford, pace, referee, sir alex ferguson, sunderland, verbal attack
