Ferguson Charged Over Postive Comments About Webb

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for comments about referee Howard Webb, though these comments were of a positive nature.

Ferguson broke FA rules which state that no manager should speak about a referee prior to a match. The comments in question were made in the build-up to the 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea on 8 May.

The Old Trafford club’s manager has until 1600 BST on 16 May to respond.

Manchester United beat Chelsea 2-1 last Sunday to move within just a point of securing a record 19th title with two games left to play. However two days before the game – which would have seen Chelsea top the table had they won – Ferguson spoke about Webb at a press conference.

Sir Alex said at the time “We are getting the best referee, there is no doubt about that, but getting a bad decision is definitely our big fear. We have the players to do it all right. We just hope it’s our turn for a little bit of luck.”

Furthermore, Ferguson only recently returned to pitch side after a five-game ban and £30,000 fine for his criticism of referee Martin Atkinson following a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea in March. At that time, Ferguson said “You want a fair referee – or a strong referee, anyway – and we didn’t get that, when I saw who the referee was I did fear it. I feared the worst.”

After which the Manchester United boss said that managers should be free to discuss performances of officials, providing any criticism is justifiable.

It seems unlikely that the FA will charge him again as the nature of the comments this time were completely different – it is likely to just be a warning.