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FA charges Ferguson for implying bias

Sir Alex Ferguson is in the dock with the FA again © PA Photos

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The Football Association has charged Sir Alex Ferguson with misconduct over comments he made after Manchester United's draw with Tottenham on January 20.

The FA punished Ferguson because they deemed his comments had implied the match officials were motivated by bias.

After the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, Ferguson labelled linesman Simon Beck's performance "shocking" with particular reference to his failure to give United a penalty when Wayne Rooney was challenged by Spurs defender Steven Caulker.

The Red Devils manager added that Beck had a history with his club after not ruling out an offside for a Didier Drogba goal in 2010. "There was no way we were going to get a decision from [Beck]," Ferguson said.

An FA statement released on Tuesday evening read: "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."

Ferguson has a long history of disciplinary charges with the FA. In March 2011 he was hit with a five-match touchline ban and a £30,000 fine for questioning the integrity of referee Martin Atkinson after a match at Chelsea.

He did escape punishment earlier this season, however, despite confronting Mike Dean, assistant referee Jake Collin and fourth official Neil Swarbrick during the Red Devils' game against Newcastle.

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