Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Justice, when it finally arrived, was measured without being merciless. With a GBP20,000 fine and a four match touchline ban, two of which are suspended, The Football Association have resisted the temptation to make an example of Sir Alex Ferguson without letting him off the hook entirely. On reflection, it was the right decision. Any punishment that could be described as 'unprecedented' could have generated sympathy for the Manchester United manager or, worse still, have made him some kind of martyr in an ill-conceived debate about the freedom of speech. Two afternoons sat with the Glazers in the director's box should be punishment enough for a man who should know better by now.
Leaving aside the daft decision to fine him little over a day's wages for his spiteful and unfounded attack on Alan Wiley's physical condition, this was a step in the right direction for the FA, who have hardly covered themselves in glory in recent years. Too many people have escaped serious punishment for their crimes, there has been too much timidity from the powers that be. Though there are those, myself included, who would have preferred a more draconian public spanking, this at least should send a message out to any manager who believes he can obscure his own team's deficiencies by attacking an innocent party. Manchester United didn't drop points against Sunderland because Wiley couldn't run very quickly. They dropped points because they were outfought in the middle of the park, because they couldn't keep hold of the ball and because they assumed that Steve Bruce's side would be a pushover. Ferguson's quotes weren't just unfair, they were a cowardly dereliction of personal responsiblity.
"He should never have said what he did say," Commission Chairman Peter Griffiths QC burbled ineloquently after the hearing. Two public apologies indicate that Ferguson had already reached the same conclusion, though it has to be said that neither one came across as particularly sincere. Ferguson 'said what he did say' because he thought he could get away with it. Now he knows otherwise. Now everyone knows otherwise. The FA have finally served their purpose.
The FA have made their move, but now they must press on and stamp out dissent at all levels of the game. They must use this punishment as a yardstick and then rap it hard across the knuckles of any manager who steps out of line. It is a sad truth that whatever happens in the upper echelons of football will eventually drift down to parks and schoolyards across the world and it is the duty of the professional game to show respect for referees. There has to be an acknowledgement of the incredible job they do under difficult circumstances, and an acceptance of their limitations and human failings. Players and managers may earn all of the money, but without top quality referees, there would be no football. Now there's something for Ferguson to ponder while he sits in exile in the stands.
Leaving aside the daft decision to fine him little over a day's wages for his spiteful and unfounded attack on Alan Wiley's physical condition, this was a step in the right direction for the FA, who have hardly covered themselves in glory in recent years. Too many people have escaped serious punishment for their crimes, there has been too much timidity from the powers that be. Though there are those, myself included, who would have preferred a more draconian public spanking, this at least should send a message out to any manager who believes he can obscure his own team's deficiencies by attacking an innocent party. Manchester United didn't drop points against Sunderland because Wiley couldn't run very quickly. They dropped points because they were outfought in the middle of the park, because they couldn't keep hold of the ball and because they assumed that Steve Bruce's side would be a pushover. Ferguson's quotes weren't just unfair, they were a cowardly dereliction of personal responsiblity.
"He should never have said what he did say," Commission Chairman Peter Griffiths QC burbled ineloquently after the hearing. Two public apologies indicate that Ferguson had already reached the same conclusion, though it has to be said that neither one came across as particularly sincere. Ferguson 'said what he did say' because he thought he could get away with it. Now he knows otherwise. Now everyone knows otherwise. The FA have finally served their purpose.
The FA have made their move, but now they must press on and stamp out dissent at all levels of the game. They must use this punishment as a yardstick and then rap it hard across the knuckles of any manager who steps out of line. It is a sad truth that whatever happens in the upper echelons of football will eventually drift down to parks and schoolyards across the world and it is the duty of the professional game to show respect for referees. There has to be an acknowledgement of the incredible job they do under difficult circumstances, and an acceptance of their limitations and human failings. Players and managers may earn all of the money, but without top quality referees, there would be no football. Now there's something for Ferguson to ponder while he sits in exile in the stands.
