Ferguson warned over ref comments

ALEX FERGUSON has been warned to his future conduct by the Football Association after a charge of improper conduct against the Manchester United manager was found to be proven.

The charge related to comments made following a 2-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford on April 24 when Ferguson suggested there were “sinister” reasons behind referee Neale Barry’s failure to award United a penalty.

Ferguson denied the charge and requested a personal hearing which was held yesterday.

Ferguson was angered when Barry declined penalty appeals after Andy O’Brien appeared to haul Alan Smith to the ground during the first half.

The United manager suggested the attitude towards his team had changed since Mike Riley’s decision to award them a penalty in their 2-0 win over Arsenal in October, when Rooney was tripped by Sol Campbell.

The decision was widely considered harsh and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the spot as United brought to an end to the Gunners’ record unbeaten run in league matches.

“It is getting ridiculous now. I am not sure if they are instructed but it is looking sinister to me,” Ferguson told MUTV after the Newcastle clash.

“That is the same referee (Barry) who gave Portsmouth a penalty against us for the slightest tug by Rio Ferdinand and also denied us an absolute certainty when Louis Saha was fouled at Chelsea (in the Carling Cup semi-final).