What We're Reading
Alex Ferguson's ref praise draws warning
- Reuters, Wednesday, May 18, 2011 3:27 PM
Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson has gotten in trouble several times for criticizing refs. Now he's received a warning from the English FA for praising an official.
Ferguson had called Howard Webb “the best referee in the country” before the official took charge of United’s 2-1 EPL win over Chelsea on May 8.
FA
regulations make it clear coaches are not allowed to comment on referees before a game, regardless of whether the statements are positive or negative. Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti
was also called out by the FA for describing Webb him as a “fantastic referee” prior to the game.
Regarding Ferguson’s case, the chairman of the FA’s regulatory
commission said in a statement: “This is a clear breach of the rule and it is the first time such a matter has been placed in front of a commission. ... In this case, it was considered to be a
minor breach, but a breach nevertheless, and it should be taken as a warning to all managers in the future that any such breach, even positive comments, are likely to result in a charge by the
FA."
