Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 Ferguson charged by FA, Carlo Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger offer their support to Fergie
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has once again found himself in trouble with English Football Association (FA). This time though, he did not criticise a referee but did the exact opposite.
Ferguson had in fact praised Howard Webb ahead of his team’s match against Chelsea last week. Ferguson had used the words "the best referee for the job". Although these words may sound just complimentary, but at the same time, they go against the written
warning sent to the clubs by FA in October last year.
As a result, Ferguson is facing more disciplinary action from the FA. It was just three weeks ago that Ferguson was handed a 5-match ban for criticising a referee after the match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 at Stamford Bridge. Ferguson has now been given till Monday
to send his reply to FA. This is the first occasion that Ferguson has had support from his peers after being reprimanded by FA.
Carlo Ancelotti the manager of Chelsea said that according to him, all Ferguson did was making positive remarks about Howard Web, and in no way did he try to pressurize the referee.
"I think he spoke positively about Howard Webb," said Ancelotti. "I don't think he tried to put pressure on the referee before the game."
Ancelotti also had some nice words to say about the referee before the game, and he was both amused and surprised that he was not charged by the English FA.
"I am surprised about this," agreed the Italian.
Arsene Wenger has been one of the biggest rivals of Ferguson over the last decade or so, but even he could not believe that the FA could charge Ferguson for making positive comments about a referee.
Wenger said that the football authority may have been taken by surprise as they are not used to getting positive words from Ferguson thrown at the Referees.
"It was a shock to the FA," laughed Wenger. "They are not used for him to be complimentary."
Wenger said that by no means is it against the law to compliment a referee, and Ferguson was dealt with unfairly in that incident.
The content of Ferguson’s comments may not be the reason he was charged, but the fact that he said something along those lines is why FA have gone after him.
When one looks at the actual warning that was sent to all clubs in writing, FA did make it clear that no manager is allowed to involve a match official in his pre-match press conference.
"Pre-match comments concerning the appointed match officials for a particular fixture, whether the official is identifiable by name or by implication, are deemed by the FA to amount to improper conduct, in breach of FA Rule E3," said the letter. "We wish
to make it clear any breach of the rule in respect of pre-match media comments will result in a formal disciplinary charge."
Manchester United boss is expected to make his case in front of FA, and he will have till Monday to file a reply.
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