Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has said that the football association is favouring Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Martinez has also said that he sympathises with Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
After a 2-2 draw with Sunderland, Sir Alex said that the referee wasn’t fit enough. He also stated that English referee’s aren’t as fit as referee’s in other countries. Sir Alex has pleaded guilty of improper conduct and will not have to face the Football Association.
Martinez has said that Sir Alex has been given preferential treatment and that other managers would have been dealt with properly.
Martinez told Spanish newspaper AS: "They [the FA] have just sanctioned Ferguson for saying that referee was not fit enough and the truth is that they're almost apologising to him for punishing him."
"Any other coach would have been crushed for that.
"Ferguson has been here for a lifetime and that carries a lot of weight."
Last season, Benitez launched a scathing attack on Man United manager Sir Alex. The feud then went on for the rest of the season.
This season has been quite so far between the two managers, but the Wigan boss has decided to drag that back up again.
Martinez believes that Fergie has other managers backing him because they want to be the manager of Manchester United.
"Ferguson has his group of faithfuls, people who are committed to him: Steve Bruce, who was a player with him, Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, and others," Martinez added.
"On the other side there's Rafa Benitez and he gets attacked from all sides."
I think that this has probably now crossed Martinez’ name off the list for the Man United job once Fergie retires.
*UPDATE* Martinez has denied these reports and referred the matter to the League Managers Association.
