Fergie perplexed by 'crazy' FA panel
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has accused
the Football Association of running a "dysfunctional" disciplinary
system.
Ferguson: Baffled by disciplinary
panel
Less than two months after Rio Ferdinand was handed
what turned out to be a four-match ban for an attack on Hull's
Craig Fagan at Old Trafford that was not spotted by referee Steve
Bennett at the time, Ferguson has seen Steven Gerrard twice emerge
from incidents that could have landed him in hot
water.
United would have expected Gerrard to be charged at least once
after appearing to make a gesture towards referee Andre Marriner
during Liverpool's defeat at Wigan last week and then catching
Portsmouth's Michael Brown with a late challenge at Anfield on
Monday.
Instead, Gerrard is free to play in Sunday lunchtime's duel
between the Red Devils and Liverpool at Old Trafford, and
potentially play a pivotal role in this season's title race.
A long time critic of the FA's handling of disciplinary matters,
Ferguson claims to no longer care about their handling of
individual issues.
Clearly though, the Scot is perturbed.
"I didn't expect them to be charging Steven Gerrard simply
because I think it is a dysfunctional unit, the FA," he said.
"I don't think they know what they are doing.
"There is no consistency for a start. I didn't expect to get
any.
"I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down
there. It is crazy at times."
Ferguson must put all that to one side though as his side look
for three points that would keep them at the Premier League
summit.
At the start of the season, the clash at Old Trafford was billed
as a potential championship decider.
However, instead of building on their second-placed finish last
term, Liverpool have crumbled, not even certain to claim a
Champions League spot.
Not that Ferguson is entirely surprised.
Although he gave Rafael Benitez plenty of credit for
masterminding Liverpool's challenge last term, the Scot always had
a feeling it was the best that Reds team could manage.
"Sometimes you peak with a particular team and it is difficult
to do it again," said Ferguson.
"Everyone expected Liverpool to do better. But they are not.
"Their challenge, along with quite a few others, is to get that
fourth spot, which seems to be a league of its own."
Not that Ferguson's observations extend to any sympathy for
Benitez, just an acknowledgement, in the week Phil Brown lost his
job at Hull, that the management game is now a very tough one.
"The word sympathy is a bit strong," he said.
"You feel for any manager who doesn't do well.
"Phil Brown was sacked during the week. Yet given the players
and potential of his team, I am not sure anyone expected that Hull
would be in anything other than a dog-fight this season.
"It happens every season. It is not something new."
It is a long time since Ferguson was sacked, and it is
inconceivable it will happen again.
The United boss, who has Ryan Giggs available this weekend after
the veteran Welshman recovered from the broken hand he suffered at
Aston Villa last month, is currently gunning for his 12th title,
and a record 19th for his club, which would also represent an
unprecedented fourth on the trot.
An end to Liverpool's three-match winning streak in these
fixtures, all of which have ended with the dismissal of Nemanja
Vidic, would allow United to maintain their present momentum.
Ferguson certainly believes there will be no repeat of the 4-1
defeat United suffered at the hands of their old rivals in the
corresponding game last term.
"Last season was a one-off," said Ferguson. "It won't happen
again. I can assure you of that. Absolutely no chance."
An unknown factor has been added to the title picture following
Chelsea's surprise elimination from the Champions League.
Ferguson cannot be certain how that disappointment will affect
the Londoners.
He just knows staying on top at this stage of the season is
vital.
"Being on top of the league at this stage of this season would
make us difficult to get back at," he said.
"I don't place that much importance on the 19th title. The more
important one would be the 20th. This club is capable of doing
that.
"We could also win four titles in a row. No-one will do that in
a hurry. That is something to ponder on."
