Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could have avoided lengthy touchline ban if he pleaded guilty – chairman of FA commission Craig Moore

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson could have avoided his lengthy suspension if he had pleaded guilty to the FA, it has been revealed.

The Scot’s comments concerning referee Martin Atkinson after the defeat to Chelsea irked the wrath of the governing body, as the 69-year-old received a five-match touchline ban for not adhering to the Respect campaign.

“The comments undermined the attempts by the association, through its Respect campaign, to encourage higher standards of behaviour within the game, including respect for officials,” said Craig Moore of the FA’s regulator commission, according to The Mirror.

“Whatever view one may take about the performance of Mr Atkinson or any other referee, respect for their integrity is essential for the integrity of the game.

“His vast experience ought to have left Sir Alex in no doubt as to how any sense of injustice he may have felt about the decisions, or the performance of an official, should properly be channeled and expressed.

“Although he denied any intention to question Mr Atkinson’s integrity, he should, at the very least, have realised the importance of what he said.

“Any credit to which Sir Alex may have been entitled by admitting the charge, and reduction in sanction, was lost.

“In addition, it follows from his denial of the charge that no clarification or retraction of any of his comments has been made and no apology given to Mr Atkinson, even after the charge had been brought.”