FA seek Fergie ‘explanation’

THE Football Association have written to Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson to ask him to explain his comments about referee Alan Wiley.

Ferguson claimed the 49-year-old official was unfit after taking charge of his side’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Having looked at the remarks, the FA have now requested that the United boss explains the reasons behind his outburst.

However, no further action will be taken against Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce who criticised Peter Walton for not giving Rovers a penalty in Sunday’s 6-2 defeat at Arsenal.

Ironically, on his official Premier Game Match Officials Ltd profile, Wiley makes a point of highlighting the importance of keeping up with the physical side of the game.

“Firstly, you have to be fit enough to cope with an ever increasing speed of the game,” he said.

After the Sunderland match Ferguson said he thought Wiley was off the pace.

“He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard,” said the United boss.

“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.

“You see referees abroad who are as fit as butchers’ dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn’t fit. He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous.”

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher – a close friend of Wiley – felt Ferguson’s comments were out of order.

“In the 17 years the Premier League has been going this is the first time I have ever heard a manager use that criticism of a referee,” Gallagher said.

“I hear all kinds of things and I have never known a manager to say a referee wasn’t fit enough.

“The referees are fit for purpose. They are training four, five, six times a week.

“They are training to an intensity which 10 years ago I would never have believed.”