Three weeks ago, Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson made a few comments on referee Alan Wiley’s fitness. It now looks like the FA could charge Ferguson and give him a five match touchline ban.
Sir Alex said that Wiley was ‘unfit’ and referees in England aren’t as fit as foreign referee’s. It is believed by the Sunday Mirror that the FA are ‘determined to take a firm stance’ on Sir Alex.
If this is true then it is ridiculous, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was handed a four match ban for his referee rant, which was a lot worse.
Managers say things about referee’s all the time and don’t get charged, I don’t think that this is any worse than what other people say.
I am not just saying this because he is the Man United manager but managers are asked for their opinions and they give them. Referees shouldn’t be exempt from the blame just because they are officials. Players and managers are blamed if they are one of the reasons for a loss, why should a referee if he played a part in the loss.
Saying that, Sir Alex shouldn’t have said what he did about Wiley’s fitness. I think it is perfectly fine to complain about a decision but not something personal.