Man Utd People

Sir Alex Ferguson launched a blistering attack on Alan Wiley, accusing the Staffordshire official of “not being fit enough” to do his job.

Wiley, the fourth official for last month’s controversial Manchester derby, was in charge at Old Trafford as an injury-time own-goal from Anton Ferdinand gave United a point against Sunderland in a 2-2 draw.

Ferguson claimed Wiley had not played the correct amount of added time because he had failed to add on an additional minute to the four already signalled once United scored.

“I was disappointed with the referee,” said the United boss.

“He didn’t add on any time for the goal. He played four minutes and two seconds.

“He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard.

“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.

“You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher’s dogs. We have some who are fit. He wasn’t fit.

“He was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was needing a rest. It was ridiculous.”

Ferguson twice headed to the touchline during the second half to make his feelings known about controversial decisions.

At one point, after he felt Anderson was denied a penalty, he jabbed his finger at fourth official Mike Dean and then pointed angrily to the pitch.

Whatever the merits of Ferguson’s argument, he will have succeeded in taking the spotlight away from his side, who were indebted to Patrice Evra’s deflected shot after they had produced probably their worst performance of the season, with Ben Foster again at fault for the second-half header from Kenwyne Jones that looked like being the winner.

“It was a soft goal to lose,” admitted Ferguson.

“Our passing was very poor in the first half. In the end we needed to show some great qualities to get something out of the game on a day when we played really badly.”

In front of England coach Fabio Capello, who names his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus today, Darren Bent gave his side the perfect start, driving home his seventh goal of the season after just seven minutes.

United created nothing in reply until after half-time when a brief flurry brought them level, Dimitar Berbatov finding the net with a magnificent overhead kick.

The visitors rallied and Jones got above Foster to nod home Andy Reid’s cross, a goal that seemed certain to gain Sunderland their first Old Trafford win since 1968.

But the game turned when former United winger Kieran Richardson was sent off for kicking the ball away, a decision that angered the Sunderland players, but not manager Steve Bruce.

“It was stupid,” said Bruce.

“It is hard enough to defend here with 11 players. These things happen in the heat of the moment but it could have cost us the game.”

United used the dismissal to have one last assault at the visitors’ goal, with Ferdinand the unlucky man as he deflected Evra’s shot past Craig Gordon.

“It is totally disappointing,” said Bruce. “I don’t know what the stat is for the number of times Manchester United have done that but it is what makes this club what it is I suppose.

“It just proves you have to go down to the wire.

“Even when they don’t play well, they always seem to get something out of it. And the Ayatollah himself just sits there and watches.

“That is what he has brought to the club. They never give in.”

i see the f.a have asked saf to explain his words, whats to explain HE'S UNFIT

I had a discussion with a local-league ref today. The problem may be that the top flight refs, although they do have hard targets to meet in terms of running, such as 40m sprints in minimal time, shuttle runs against the clock (beep tests) and distance running, etc. are not fit in terms of football matches and the way their are played.
What I mean is that for a referee (and to compare, a central midfielder) in a top-flight game, the distance needed to cover is not in bursts, but is continuous. That means the ref will be hard-pressed to actually cover the distances needed to adequately keep up with play at all times. The ball moves much faster and is moved quicker by the players. This makes the refs' jobs much more difficult.
The answer is to ensure the refs are as fit as the players. You look at some of the refs and while they might be fitter than the average man (or woman), they are not as fit as the 20-something footballers they are controlling. Some of the refs are carrying a little (or a lot) extra weight around with them and simply cannot attain the levels realistically needed. The fitness levels of 40-somethings, as hard as they try, just can't match up.
Instead of calling SAF to book over his comments, they should hold their hands up and say, yes, we are not as fit as the players, but we do take this profession seriously and will look to work with the managers to improve.
One thing refs should consider is get into position earlier and rest when they get there. That is what we try to teach the kids and it seems to work.
SAF is, once again, actually right with his comments. For once, I'm not sure if this is something that should have been aired in the public domain, though. It's difficult, though, as there are cameras and reporters everywhere and will pick up on the slightest thing and run with it.

Alan Wiley was blowing hard everytime he was on camera.Especially when he was booking players in the game.Fergie says he took his time over the bookings to catch his breath..He has been like this for a while now and it seems as though the referees association are after Sir Alex and Wiley will get away with it for a while.But now that Wiley's fitness has been brough to light,hopefully other managers might come out now and say the same.
Noucamp 99 is correct as these issues should have gone through the propper channels and not in public.Sir Alex should have made his complaints in his report on the Ref.But like others before,this too would be swept under the carpet and Wiley will be protected.
Sorry to say this but i have said it before,England Refs are pretty poor by worldwide standards.Are there any refs from the prem you can say should officiate at world cup games?Look at Poll.He was the best we had and what happened??three yellows to one player!!!Howard webb was one i thought as he was good but now he is believing what is written about him in the papers and he now thinks he's the bees knees!Everyone knows reffing a game is difficult but tell that to the Managers and fans who want s a bit of consistancy.Especially as Manager's jobs could be on the line.Hackett and his people has to do a better job and stop protecting the poor decision making by refs under his charge.