Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson charged by FA for criticising assistant referee

30/01/2013 4:02:00 AM

The 71-year-old has been reprimanded for his comments following the Premier League leaders' draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, suggesting the linesman was biased

Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged by the FA for criticising the performance of assistant referee Simon Beck following Manchester United's 1-1 draw against Tottenham.

An FA statement reads: "The FA has today [Tuesday 29 January] charged Sir Alex Ferguson in relation to post-match media comments made following Manchester United’s game at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday 20 January 2013.

"It is alleged the Manchester United manager breached FA Rule E3 in that he implied that the match official was motivated by bias.

"Ferguson has until 4pm on Friday 1 February 2013 to respond to the charge."

Following Beck's performance that day, Sir Alex stated: "I think we should have had a throw-in down our side of the pitch but that linesman never gave us a thing all day.

"For me, it was a poor performance by him. He never saw the penalty kick for Wayne Rooney and some other decisions too.

"We remember him well from his time at the Chelsea game [in 2010] when Didier Drogba was three yards offside and he gave onside. I think he had a shocking game today and I'm disappointed in his performance, I really am.

"I think he has had a bad game and we never got anything from that side of the pitch. We got a bad break."

On his charge, Sir Alex recently stated that he believed the FA to be taking him to task unfairly, and that it had more to do with him than the comments he made.

He stated: "I just think it is more about me than what I've said. Whether I think it is unfair or not doesn't matter to them really at this point.

"That is what I have put in my letter exactly but you know the FA. You never know. It is one of these things. We are high-profile."

Inside Goal.Com

Real Madrid are better off without Jose Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he is leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
In Off the Post Podcast: Merrick makes return
The team from Goal Australia and Sportal take you through all the big news in football, including Ernie Merrick's A-League return and the forthcoming Champions League final
Real Madrid are better off without Mourinho
The Portuguese's position had become untenable in recent weeks, especially after Friday's debacle in the Copa del Rey. Now he's leaving, but the club can grow stronger without him
Merrick's chance to prove his point at Phoenix
Bren O'Brien ponders Ernie Merrick's A-League return with the Wellington Phoenix and if we will see a change in the man to the one that led Melbourne Victory to two championships
Who is the greatest Champions League striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel