Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Friday over comments about referee Howard Webb in which he called him “the best referee in the country.” The charge, which comes two months after Ferguson received a five-match touchline ban for criticising referees, relates to views expressed at a news conference before last Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
FA regulations make it clear that managers are not allowed to comment on referees before a match, regardless of whether the statements are positive or negative. “Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct. The charge relates to media comments made about match official Howard Webb on May 6,” the FA said in a statement.
“Ferguson has until 4pm on May 16 to respond to this charge.” Ferguson’s previous misconduct charge from English soccer’s governing body came after he said he “feared the worse” when he found out Martin Atkinson was refereeing United’s match at Stamford Bridge in March, which his team lost 2-1. Before Chelsea headed to Manchester last weekend for a top-of-the-table clash, Ferguson was asked whether he took comfort from the fact that experienced World Cup final referee Webb would be officiating.
“He’s definitely the best referee in the country, there is no doubt about that,” Ferguson replied. “I think we’re getting the best referee. “We hope it’s our turn for a little bit of luck.” Ferguson had spoken before about refereeing decisions seeming to go Chelsea’s way, saying after April’s Champions League quarter-final first leg that he felt no guilt when the referee failed to award the London side a penalty as United had waited years “to get a decision” at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he was baffled by the FA charge against Ferguson, who has only recently completed a five-match ban for criticising referee Martin Atkinson in March. “I think he spoke positively about Howard Webb,” said Ancelotti. “I don’t think he tried to put pressure on the referee before the game … I am surprised about this.” Even Ferguson’s long-time rival Arsene Wenger was bemused by the FA decision. “It was a shock to the FA,” Wenger joked. “They are not used for him to be complimentary.
“He is entitled to have that opinion. To me, it doesn’t look to be a major problem to say that somebody is good. I would not charge him for that.” However the FA have obviously taken a different view, particularly after issuing managers with a written edict seven months ago which made it clear that any discussion of match officials was forbidden.
“Pre-match comments concerning the appointed match officials for a particular fixture, whether the official is identifiable by name or by implication, are deemed by the FA to amount to improper conduct, in breach of FA Rule E3,” said the letter. “We wish to make it clear any breach of the rule in respect of pre-match media comments will result in a formal disciplinary charge.” United have refused to comment on the matter, although Ferguson is expected to escape with a fine rather than a ban.