Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson surprised by five-match touchline ban
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his disappointment at being banned for five matches by the Football Association (FA). The United boss has been handed the punishment for accusing referee Martin Atkinson of bias following his side’s
2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last month.
Speaking after the match, Ferguson had said, “You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that. I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst.”
For his comments, Sir Alex had been charged with improper conduct by the FA, and his punishment was handed down to him at a disciplinary hearing yesterday. The Scot has been banned from appearing on the touchline for Manchester United’s next five games.
If the verdict stands, he could spend the entire month of April watching his team from the stands.
The news will be a huge blow to the club. Ferguson’s presence on the pitch will be sorely missed, and with the Red Devils gearing up for the home stretch of the Barclays Premier League season, each match will be crucial in deciding the eventual destination
of the Premier League title.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Sir Alex, claiming that the five match ban is too harsh. The Blues boss believes that the punishment does not fit the crime, even though he admitted that the United boss’ comments were inappropriate.
Ancelotti had stated, “I think that, my opinion, is that Ferguson has always had good behaviour and I think five games now is too much.”
The man of the moment however, has been mostly silent about the verdict. Ferguson has been keeping his opinions about the FA to himself, expressing only his disappointment with the decision.
Ferguson said, “It is disappointing. It (Football) is the only industry where you can't tell the truth. But it is in the past now.”
Sir Alex Ferguson can appeal the result within the next 48 hours; however, the Manchester United boss has not yet decided whether or not he will be taking any action.
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