Monday 5th October 2009
Fergie facing touchline ban
Sir Alex Ferguson is set to be fined and banned from the touchline after his tongue lashing of referee Alan Wiley.
The Manchester United boss launched a verbal tirade on Wiley after the 2-2 stalemate against Sunderland, saying that the "unfit", "needed a rest", "an indictment on the game", and did not add on the required amount of stoppage time in the second half.
Wily was reportedly "very upset" by Ferguson's words, and the Premier League wants to rein in the Scot for his latest infraction.
A Premier League spokesman said: "The fitness of Select Group Match Officials is continually assessed throughout the season to ensure it is of the highest possible standard."
All officials on the Premier League payroll have to pass stringent physical fitness tests before and during the season - including being able to cover 40 metres in a little over six seconds.
Ferguson does have a history of lashing out at referees and was given a reprimand last year regarding his behaviour after criticising Martin Atkinson for not giving his team a spot kick in the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Portsmouth.
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