Referees are demanding a public apology from Sir Alex Ferguson for an apparent slur on the integrity of Martin Atkinson.
Last night the referees’ union weighed into the row as the FA deliberate on whether tocharge the Manchester United boss over his comments following his side’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Alan Leighton, whose union Prospect is engaged to represent match officials, said: ‘The ball is in Sir Alex’s court. I’m less interested in whether he’s charged than removing this stigma from the referee at Stamford Bridge.
'The referees are saying that if one is questioned then it questions them all. None of them want their integrity impaired. So the best way would be a retraction.’
The FA have until 4pm on Friday to decide whether to press charges, a move which
would activate an extended touchline ban as he still has a two match suspension
hanging over him for his attack on Alan Wiley in November 2009.
The FA have requested video footage from MUTV of a post-match interview in which
Ferguson said: ‘It was a major game for both clubs and you want a fair referee. When I saw who was refereeing it, I feared the worst.’
Clicky
Last night the referees’ union weighed into the row as the FA deliberate on whether tocharge the Manchester United boss over his comments following his side’s 2-1 defeat at Chelsea on Tuesday night.
Alan Leighton, whose union Prospect is engaged to represent match officials, said: ‘The ball is in Sir Alex’s court. I’m less interested in whether he’s charged than removing this stigma from the referee at Stamford Bridge.
'The referees are saying that if one is questioned then it questions them all. None of them want their integrity impaired. So the best way would be a retraction.’
The FA have until 4pm on Friday to decide whether to press charges, a move which
would activate an extended touchline ban as he still has a two match suspension
hanging over him for his attack on Alan Wiley in November 2009.
The FA have requested video footage from MUTV of a post-match interview in which
Ferguson said: ‘It was a major game for both clubs and you want a fair referee. When I saw who was refereeing it, I feared the worst.’
Clicky
from now on I will skip talking about our finances. That is a promise and will save myself from looking like a 
Nope, that one won't stick with Comic relief coming up, even though the shade of colour is a touch off.
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