Platini backs Fergie ban

Platini: Supported FA’s action against Ferguson and Rooney and says referees need protection

Uefa president Michel Platini has supported the Football Association’s decision to ban Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for five games.

Ferguson was banned from the touchline after comments made about referee Martin Atkinson’s performance in Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea last month.

The Red Devils boss was unhappy with Atkinson’s handling of the high-octane encounter and stated afterwards that he ‘feared the worst’ when he learned who would be officiating.

The FA acted quickly to charge Ferguson with improper conduct and Platini agrees that referees need more protection.

“Sometimes we have some people who don’t respect the referee,” Platini told Sky Sports News.

“Perhaps, in my career, I sometimes didn’t respect the referee because I was nervous.

“(Wayne) Rooney and Alex Ferguson, they will regret what they have done because it’s in the moment.

“I can understand but they made a mistake and they were banned for these disciplinary matters.

No saint

“Sometimes you can be not so happy but we are here to protect the game. We have regulations to protect the referee.

“The referees have to be protected because the game has to be protected.”

Rooney received a two-game ban from the FA earlier this month after he was charged with using offensive, insulting and/or abusive language to a television camera during a goal celebration against West Ham.

Platini says he can understand negative reactions from players during a game.

“I am not a saint,” said Platini. “I can understand these things because they are men and they have a reaction.

“But it’s not good and we have to punish these reactions.”