Alan Wiley Could Sue Sir Alex Ferguson Over Criticism

By Andrew Southwick

Alan Wiley has been urged to take legal action against Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United manager questioned his fitness.

The referees' union feel that the two game touchline ban issued to Ferguson as punishment is not enough, and say this is not the end of the matter.

Ferguson was fined £20,000 and given a four-match touchline ban, of which two matches were suspended, on Thursday by an FA regulatory commission for claiming the referee “just wasn’t fit enough” to officiate in United’s 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland last month.

Wiley was said to have been so upset by the comments that he came close to quitting.

Alan Leighton, the national secretary of Prospect, the referees’ union, said Ferguson's remarks had questioned Wiley's integrity.

“One of the things we are saying is, is there a case these comments are defamatory?”

“I intend to talk to Alan Wiley to see if he wants to sue on the issue.”

He added: “We need to take a few steps back and see what has happened here and I would like to see more about the judgments.

“We never wanted to get lawyers involved, but if referees don’t feel they are being protected, sooner or later someone is going to take action over it.

“We are going to talk to the relevant authorities to see what it means for the future. I’ll also talk to our members.

"I think there will be a concern this isn’t an appropriate way to send a message that these comments were wholly unacceptable.”