FA charge sees Fergie pay penalty for remarks

ALEX FERGUSON was yesterday charged with improper conduct by the FA.

The governing body claim the Manchester United manager is in breach of FA rule E3 and he has until May 26 to respond.

The charge relates to Ferguson’s comments following the match against Newcastle on April 24.

He said after the 2-1 victory: “We should have had a clear penalty today - it seems to me now that we are not going to get penalties no matter what the circumstances.

“It’s getting ridiculous now. I’m not sure if they’re instructed but it’s sinister to me.”

Ferguson finds himself on the carpet after saying it was becoming “sinister” the way United were not being given any penalties.

Even though United defeated Newcastle 2-1, he was annoyed referee Neale Barry failed to award a spot-kick after Andy O’Brien appeared to foul Alan Smith.

Ferguson could not help looking back to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s infamous spot-kick miss against Arsenal 19 months ago as a reference point for his complaints.

“It is getting to the stage where it looks quite sinister now,” he said.

“Ever since we got that penalty against Arsenal, we have received nothing.

“This was the referee who awarded Portsmouth a penalty against us earlier in the season for the slightest of tugs from Rio Ferdinand but he fails to give a blatant one like today’s.

“I think someone will have to be shot before we get another penalty.”

Meanwhile, Gary Neville has admitted United must do better than they have ever done if they are to reclaim the Premiership title next season.

But the England full-back laughed off suggestions that Ferguson should pay the price for their latest failure.

United fell an incredible 20 points behind Chelsea following their 3-1 home defeat to the new league champions on Monday night, bringing more rumblings of discontent from the Red Devils support.

Most now feel Ferguson’s position would be in peril if the next 12 months prove as fruitless as the last two season have been, while some are even suggesting now is the time for the Scot to depart.

Neville finds such talk astounding, pointing to the eight titles, five FA Cups, the European Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup triumphs, as evidence to prove his point.

“I find it quite laughable that people should be talking about the manager in that way,” the 30-year-old defender said.

“Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager Manchester United have ever had. It is ridiculous for people to suggest he leaves.

“Who do they want to replace him? Ron Atkinson, Tommy Docherty?” added Neville, referring to two of Ferguson’s predecessors who mustered just three FA Cups between them.