Referees´ rep slams ban on United boss Ferguson

November 13, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson was told he’d “got off lightly” by the union representing England’s top referees after receiving a four-game touchline ban for an outspoken attack on referee Alan Wiley.

The Manchester United manager, who admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as “unfit” after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3.

But on Thursday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined 20,000 pounds (33,148 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct following his “grossly improper and wholly inappropriate” comments about Wiley.

However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of officials’ union Prospect, accused the FA of “flunking” the issue by not imposing a harsher punishment upon the 67-year-old Scot and so undermining their own ‘Respect’ campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees.

“From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it,” Leighton said. “We don’t think this is sending the right message out to other managers.

“This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex but he has a particular stature within the game and if he is seen to be getting off lightly other managers may think what he said was not beyond the pale.”

Peter Griffiths, chairman of the commission which imposed the ban on Ferguson, said after Thursday’s hearing: “Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements and stature within the game.

“Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.

“The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. He should never have said what he did say.”

Ferguson, who will receive the commission’s full findings on Friday, has the right of appeal.

But should he accept the ban, Ferguson is now set to be barred from the dug-out for United’s Premier League matches later this month at home to Everton and away to Portsmouth

The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.

Ferguson accused Wiley of not being “fit enough for a game of that standard” and of “walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest”.

Soon after the original incident, Ferguson apologised to Wiley for speaking out, although, significantly, not for the content of his remarks.

“I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views,” Ferguson said.

“My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game.”

Following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.

He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an “absolutely ridiculous” position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alex ferguson, football association, four games, improper conduct, inappropriate comments, league champions, leighton, manchester united, national secretary, old trafford, outspoken attack, personal vendetta, peter griffiths, referees, respect campaign, Scot, sir alex ferguson, stature, union prospect

Chelsea lose their heads and their dignity

May 7, 2009

Maybe Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo was wrong on all the big decisions in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg — it absolutely does not justify Chelsea’s reaction.

UEFA’s “Respect” campaign was, again, left in tatters as pandemonium erupted after Andres Iniesta’s late equaliser sent Barcelona through on the away goals rule.

Didier Drogba had long been substituted but found enough energy to sprint onto the field at fulltime and harangue the referee, collecting a booking in the process.

Chelsea stewards and his team mates failed to control him as he returned for another bite, before turning his wrath to the cameras.

During the match the Ivorian striker had shown the best and worst sides of his game and should look to himself when considering why referees perhaps do not react kindly to his team’s appeals.

He often showed barnstorming strength to battle through the Barcelona defence but, as so often before, suddenly developed legs of straw when he decided it was time to win a freekick.

On one occasion he actually injured his back while performing a fierce body flip of frustration after another collapse had been waved away by the referee.

Midfielder Michael Ballack, another hugely experienced player, also went ballistic, neck veins popping Roy Keane-style as he screamed in the face of the referee and barged him after he opted not to give a penalty for a late handball.

He had been a bit quieter earlier when the Norwegian sent off Barcelona’s Eric Abidal for clipping the heels of Nicolas Anelka – but refereeing errors are obviously acceptable “at this level” if they work in your favour.

Manager Guus Hiddink, admirably calm amid the mayhem and normally among the most thoughtful and intelligent observers of the game, did himself no favours when he backed Drogba’s actions.

“I can fully understand his reaction,” he said. “He was full of emotion and full of adrenalin but he was in control. If he went beyond that and started hitting he should go, but I fully understand his behaviour after the game and I will protect him.”

England midfielder Frank Lampard added: “I dont think you can expect grown men to walk off and say nothing,” a comment wide open for an all-too-obvious retort.

John Terry, captain of Chelsea, captain of England and supposedly a role model for all young players, was another to blot his reputation after a superb playing performance.

“I’m fully behind Didier,” he said.” It is the referee who should face the consequences.”

What these millionaire “grown men” do not seem to realise is that as their example filters down through the game, and it does, there will eventually be no referees left for them or anyone else, to vent their frustrations on.

Respect.

PHOTO: REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

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Tags: adrenalin, Andres Iniesta, Barcelona, CHELSEA, Drogba, Eddie Keogh, England, equaliser, eric abidal, favours, frank lampard, freekick, fulltime, intelligent observers, john terry, Michael Ballack, neck veins, Nicolas Anelka, pandemonium, referee, refereeing, respect campaign, roy keane, Roy Keane-style, stewards, tatters, team mates, tom henning, Tom Henning Ovrebo, UEFA Champions League

Wilkins defends Scolari after Chelsea card controversy

January 29, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins defended Luiz Felipe Scolari after the Blues boss appeared to encourage referee Lee Probert to send off a Middlesbrough player at Stamford Bridge.

Scolari and Boro assistant Malcolm Crosby were involved in heated exchanges moments before half-time when Crosby took exception to the Brazilian waving an imaginary card from the touchline after Mohamed Shawky handled the ball.

Shawky had already been cautioned and Scolari’s actions were perceived to be an attempt to get the Egyptian midfielder dismissed.

"It’s a very emotional game," said Wilkins after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory. "Passions do run high — they ran high on their bench, they ran high on ours."

Wilkins said he was all in favour of the Football Association’s recent ‘Respect’ campaign which is designed to reduce such behaviour by management and players.

"I’m all for respect — but if the referee felt he needed to be sent to the stands then he would have done so.

"(Assistant referee) Steve Bennett was on the side so he didn’t advise the referee to send him to the stands so they must have felt it was OK."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate played down the incident though he was puzzled at Scolari’s refusal to shake hands with him after the game.

"There were words exchanged between my assistant and Scolari – he wanted to get one of our players booked and we weren’t happy with that," said Southgate.

"He didn’t shake hands with me, which is a bit strange, but that’s his prerogative."

A pair of goals from Salomon Kalou saw Chelsea to a comfortable win, moving them to second spot in the table.

The Ivory Coast striker netted in the 58th and 81st minutes to ensure the Blues condemned relegation candidates Boro to an 11th consecutive league game without a win.

Victory Scolari’s side saw them close to within two points of league leaders Manchester United and ahead of Liverpool on goal difference after the Merseysiders were held 1-1 at Wigan Athletic.

Chelsea travel to Anfield on Sunday and Scolari will be confident after seeing his side notch up their fourth straight victory in all competitions.

Captain John Terry returned to the Blues’ defence following a back injury while midfielder John Obi Mikel, suspended for the FA Cup win over Ipswich on Saturday, replaced Juliano Belletti, who was ruled out through illness.

Chelsea looked threatening from the start and a promising run by Kalou after six minutes saw the Ivorian beat two tacklers before being muscled off the ball.

Shawky was booked three minutes later for a scything challenge on Florent Malouda.

Chelsea’s best chance of the half came when Jose Bosingwa found Ashley Cole at the back post in the 13th minute, but the England left-back could only send his downward header into the side netting.

Didier Drogba was brought on for Malouda at the interval and the 30-year-old frontman immediately worked an opening before screwing his shot across goal.

The Blues had the lead in the 58th minute when Kalou lashed home from eight yards.

Kalou wrapped up the points when Boro keeper Ross Turnbull missed a Frank Lampard cross and the striker nodded in from six yards, nine minutes from the end.

Written by: AFP

Tags: assistant referee, boro, chelsea travel, consecutive league, emotional game, English Premier League, football association, goal difference, Ivory Coast, league game, league leaders, luiz felipe scolari, manchester united, mohamed shawky, passions, ray wilkins, respect campaign, Salomon Kalou, stamford bridge, steve bennett, touchline

Wilkins defends Scolari after card controversy

January 28, 2009