Trouble ahead: The FA are investigating Fergie's rant
Quit threat: Alan Wiley was left so distressed by Sir Alex Ferguson's attack that he contemplated blowing the whistle on his career as a Premier League referee
Alan Wiley was so distressed after Sir Alex Ferguson branded him 'unfit' that he considered quitting.
Friends of the referee revealed that he was tempted to walk away from football over the Manchester United manager's astonishing attack.
Ferguson criticised Wiley following United's fortunate 2-2 home draw against Sunderland on Saturday and the FA, after debating whether to charge the manager, have asked him to explain his comments.
Ferguson said about Wiley: 'It took him at least 30 seconds every time he booked a player and I think that was because he wanted to take a rest.'
In fact, the analysis shows Wiley covered more ground than most players, and his performance has been praised by the Professional Game Match Officials.
Sir Alex has run into trouble with his comments before, including a two-match touchline ban in August 2003 following an attack on fourth official Jeff Winter, a similar ban in November 2007 for criticising referee Mark Clattenburg and two more games and £10,000 fine for an outburst against Mike Dean a year later.
Alan Leighton, national secretary of professionals' union Prospect, who represent referees, said: 'Sir Alex made comments about other referees and said about European referees being as fit as butchers' dogs.
'But all of our referees pass stringent fitness tests at the start of the season. If Alan Wiley or any other referee were not fit they would not be refereeing.'
--------------------
Sir Alex Ferguson accuses referee Alan Wiley of not being fit enough to referee at the highest level in his post match comments.
----------------------
0 comments:
Post a Comment