Sir Alex Ferguson has apologised to referee Alan Wiley for any embarrassment caused by his sustained attack on the official's fitness after last week's encounter between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Immediately after the 2-2 draw Ferguson questioned whether Wiley had the necessary fitness to take charge of such a keenly contested Premier League match and claimed that at periods during the game he needed a rest.
But the Scot has decided it was not the wisest choice of words, and said: "I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment my comments may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views."
He added: "In retrospect I accept that they could be deemed as expressing those views in an inappropriate form.
"It was never my intention to bring the focus of intense media interest on Mr Wiley and I will apologise to him personally when I return from an overseas trip during the international break."
Only two weeks previously Ferguson had been seen joking with Wiley on the touchline immediately after Michael Owen's controversial winner in the six minutes of added time against Manchester City.
As opposed to the view given in last week's outburst, the United manager insists he still has a high regard for the Staffordshire official.
"I wish it to be noted that I have always respected Mr Wiley's integrity and I did not mean to imply that 1) Mr Wiley is a bad referee, 2) that he was in any way biased, 3) that decisions he made during the game were wrong and 4) that he missed any important incidents in the game.
"My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believed to be serious issues in the game, namely the fitness levels of referees."
Comment 30 - 49 of 49
sorry is not nearly good enough as his comments were crystal clear !! His view is that unless he gets his way any ref is bad. He did not say much about poor timekeeping in the Man City game did he apart from have a niche chat with the ref then as she got his way. The FA need to slap the BIGGEST possible fine and touchline ban on this arrogant SoB to send out a really big message to him, Benitez, Allardyce and the rest of the managers.
tevez and kevin stevens...i agree 100%
too little....too late.
Tevez you sad bustard- I don't support horse @#$%, which is what you write! My comparision of Sam Allardyce,s comments with those of Sir Alex Ferguson was factually correct. Examples of harsh punishments, Cantona,Evra(both for reacting to racist abuse), Rooney (more than once). I suggeast that you're hatred of all things Manchester United is bordering on pathological. You should get some treament before it gets you in to trouble. If I was you I wouild not write messages whilst under the influence of whatever substance you are abusing.
You know what amazes me?
Maze's and egg mayonaise.
tevez u are a nugget
Tevez what a complete and utter @#$% you are ................24-7,,,,its you who should be D&B .............you waste of a time
utd a pile of sh&te, and corrupt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
redgeoff, comment 40 thats boll*** and you know it you, you thesad bustard, for supporting manure!!!!!!
yes that it is. ferguson always got escaped from any punishment. he's so pathetic
Tevez you sad bustard: Sam Allardyce openly accused the referees and their association of favouring the top four. H called their integrity and honesty into account. Fergie questioned Whiley's fitness, that's all, not his honesty, not his integrity. If Allardyce is not punished and Fergie is, Sir Alex should sue the refs association for whatever he can get. As for influencing the FA what a load of rubbish you lot talk. United players get harsher punishments than other clubs. David Gill is not on the FA board representing United, he represents the Premiership you wazzocks! Get your facts right for once. The Prem would soon haul him over the coals if he favoured United!
rafa benitez was right the refs officials and also the FA are terrified of Ferguson since hes been in charge at man u they have had by far the most favourable treatment of any premier league club.John
checken_ liver_ pixy! who rattled your cage?
comment 34 it,s tevez you dopey @#$%
He's got about as much class as a dog @#$% butty.
3rd time he has had a go at the refs so far this season an still hasnt been charged.
He was his best mate at the derby, Wiley must have not give him the @#$% he promised him.
WHAT A T.WAT THAT TEVES IS!!.............OR IS IT OUR MATE - -.- - - - - - -??????????????
HAVING READ HIS APOLOGY IT,S OBVIOUS THAT THE WHISKY SWILLING JOCK NEVER PREPARED IT, AS HE HAS NIETHER THE BRAIN CAPACITY NOR THE MANNERS OR GUT,S TO APOLOGISE TO ANYONE, ALL HE IS CAPABLE OF IS INSULTING PEOPLE , I HOPE THE REFEREE,S SUE THE ARSE OFF HIM. BAN THE JOCK @#$%
APOLOGY NOT TO BE ACCEPTED , BAN THE BIG MOUTHED , WHISKY SWILLING JOCK!
this individual has abused, insulted, referees and officials for years, recently he was banned, fined, and warned asto his furure conduct, the F.A. shuold make an example of him , because he is the biggest culprit, every week there are issue,s with him trying run the game, and bullying officials. and further more the M.U. chief exec SHOULD NOT BE ON THE BOARD AT THE F.A. WHEN DAVID DIEN OF CHELSEA was on the same board that lot at O.T had a lot to say about it, now the boot is on the other foot there is silence from O.T. THIS WHISKY SWILLING BULLY should now be taken to task by the F.A. who is he to constantly stick his whisky nose were it is not wanted. NO SHALLOW APOLOGIE,S TO BE ACCEPTED. END OF!
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