Fergie facing hefty fine or touchline ban for Wiley comments

ALEX FERGUSON is facing the prospect of a hefty fine or a touchline ban after being charged with improper conduct for accusing referee Alan Wiley of being unfit.

The Manchester United manager has already apologised to Wiley and the Football Association but that has not saved him from an FA charge. He now has two weeks to respond to the charge and can request a personal hearing if he wishes. Ferguson made his comment following United’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford. He accused Wiley of not being “fit enough for a game of that standard” and accused of “walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest”.

The FA said in a statement: “Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct. The charge relates to media comments made by him about referee Alan Wiley after United’s match against Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3. He has until November 3 to respond.”