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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/wigan/6448946/Wigan-manager-Roberto-Martinez-hits-out-at-Sir-Alex-Fergusons-loyalists-and-FA.html
Wigan manager Roberto Martínez has launched an astonishing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and the "group of loyalist" managers, including Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce, who, he says, team up against Rafael Benítez.
Martínez, linked with the position of Ferguson's No 2 following the departure of Carlos Quieroz, has also criticised the Football Association, saying they have handled Ferguson with kid gloves over the Alan Wiley affair, when the Manchester United manager said the referee was "unfit" after their 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford.
"At the moment, they have charged him for saying the referee was not good enough in terms of his fitness," Martínez said speaking in Spanish newspaper AS on Sunday, "but the reality is that they have almost begged his forgiveness for fining him. They would have hammered anyone else. He has a lot of control in this country."
Martínez, who succeeded Bruce at the DW Stadium this summer after the latter's defection for Sunderland, also aimed a broadside at his predecessor for his loyalty to his former manager.
Bruce is part of a coterie of coaches Ferguson has helped groom and, Martínez feels, occasionally unleashes on Liverpool manager Benítez, the Scot's latest bête noire.
"He has his group of loyalists among other coaches – Steve Bruce, a former player of his, and Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, among others. On the other hand, there is only Benítez and they get at him from all sides."
Ferguson will have a chance to explain his views on the fitness of Premier League referees at a personal hearing after admitting an FA charge of improper conduct for comments made about Wiley on Oct 3.
Ferguson, charged by the FA on Oct 19, had been expected to plead guilty to the charge after issuing a public apology for his comments earlier this month. He faxed his guilty plea, with a request for a personal hearing at a later date, to the FA on Monday morning, receiving an acceptance of his response from the FA's disciplinary unit.
However, the Scot is understood to be unhappy at his plea being made public, with the FA assuring his advisers that they would not be publicising the development prior to the Nov 3 deadline set for Ferguson to answer the charge.
While apologising to Wiley for any personal embarrassment caused by his comments, Ferguson said: "My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the game."
Having chosen to accept the FA charge, Ferguson is now facing punishment in the form of a fine and possibly a touchline ban. The 67 year-old, who is being advised by Graham Bean, the former FA compliance officer, will aim to reduce the severity of any sanction by explaining his observations, and the motivation behind them, once a date for a hearing is set.
The Ferguson camp believe they can avoid a touchline ban on the grounds that no manager has previously been issued with such a ban as a result of post-match comments.
In the past, touchline bans have only be applied as punishment for behaviour in the dugout or on the touchline. By apologising for his comments, Ferguson also hopes that the FA will look favourably on his contrition.
Wigan manager Roberto Martínez has launched an astonishing attack on Sir Alex Ferguson and the "group of loyalist" managers, including Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce, who, he says, team up against Rafael Benítez.
Martínez, linked with the position of Ferguson's No 2 following the departure of Carlos Quieroz, has also criticised the Football Association, saying they have handled Ferguson with kid gloves over the Alan Wiley affair, when the Manchester United manager said the referee was "unfit" after their 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford.
"At the moment, they have charged him for saying the referee was not good enough in terms of his fitness," Martínez said speaking in Spanish newspaper AS on Sunday, "but the reality is that they have almost begged his forgiveness for fining him. They would have hammered anyone else. He has a lot of control in this country."
Martínez, who succeeded Bruce at the DW Stadium this summer after the latter's defection for Sunderland, also aimed a broadside at his predecessor for his loyalty to his former manager.
Bruce is part of a coterie of coaches Ferguson has helped groom and, Martínez feels, occasionally unleashes on Liverpool manager Benítez, the Scot's latest bête noire.
"He has his group of loyalists among other coaches – Steve Bruce, a former player of his, and Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, among others. On the other hand, there is only Benítez and they get at him from all sides."
Ferguson will have a chance to explain his views on the fitness of Premier League referees at a personal hearing after admitting an FA charge of improper conduct for comments made about Wiley on Oct 3.
Ferguson, charged by the FA on Oct 19, had been expected to plead guilty to the charge after issuing a public apology for his comments earlier this month. He faxed his guilty plea, with a request for a personal hearing at a later date, to the FA on Monday morning, receiving an acceptance of his response from the FA's disciplinary unit.
However, the Scot is understood to be unhappy at his plea being made public, with the FA assuring his advisers that they would not be publicising the development prior to the Nov 3 deadline set for Ferguson to answer the charge.
While apologising to Wiley for any personal embarrassment caused by his comments, Ferguson said: "My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the game."
Having chosen to accept the FA charge, Ferguson is now facing punishment in the form of a fine and possibly a touchline ban. The 67 year-old, who is being advised by Graham Bean, the former FA compliance officer, will aim to reduce the severity of any sanction by explaining his observations, and the motivation behind them, once a date for a hearing is set.
The Ferguson camp believe they can avoid a touchline ban on the grounds that no manager has previously been issued with such a ban as a result of post-match comments.
In the past, touchline bans have only be applied as punishment for behaviour in the dugout or on the touchline. By apologising for his comments, Ferguson also hopes that the FA will look favourably on his contrition.
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