By Freud of Football -
October 28th 2009 @ 1:09am
Get a Roar profile
Loading ...Time for Sir Alex Ferguson to zip it up
The Scotsman has long had a reputation for – rightly or wrongly – speaking out against what he sees as injustices against his team, but he should really listen to the advice of fellow Labour supporter Denis Healey’s first law on holes: “when you’re in one, stop digging!”
I recently supported his right to comment on the fitness of Alan Wiley.
I feel his comments were totally blown out of proportion and twisted to be something other than what he intended, which unfortunately meant his gripe with Wiley’s time-keeping – a valid and important point – fell entirely off the radar.
Calling a referee’s fitness into question is one thing, rhetorically asking whether an official who is on FIFA’s international list is “experienced enough” to handle a Liverpool–Man United fixture while referring to some of the calls that didn’t go his way, is nothing more than a veiled pot-shot at the man.
Whether it be out of frustration or his heart-felt opinion, it is a comment that has no place in the public domain.
One has to wonder, what is Sir Alex thinking? Surely he can see he is getting himself into a war of words that he cannot possibly win?
In his two decades in English football, he has riled many people, and his ongoing “feuds” have been with everyone from players and managers to ground staff and the FA.
He’s never been one to shy away from confrontation, but it is this brash, even arrogant attitude, that is now causing problems, not only for himself, but for the club he represents.
For the first time in his esteemed Manchester United career, Ferguson can expect a gag-order from the powers that be as they go into damage control trying to maintain healthy relationships with decision makers both on and off the field.
Part of this damage control was pleading guilty to the improper conduct charge levelled at him by the FA for his comments on Wiley’s fitness. But after his most recent outburst, another “please explain” is more than likely already in the mail.
The real problem here is that any fine will be pocket change and a touchline ban a matter of inconvenience. Hence, it’s possible the referees will start “taking it into their own hands”.
Or have they already?
Indeed, this is what Ferguson may have been getting at after the loss on Merseyside.
He obviously thought that the referees were out to frustrate United and be as supportive of the Liverpool cause as possible. His accusation that Marriner lacked the experience to handle the situation was – in my opinion – a reaction to what he deemed unfair and biased officiating.
Of course, referees are in a position with a certain amount of power attached and while we would all like to think they are a morally superior group of people, they are human.
I’m sure every football fan in the world would have sensed bias in one match or another.
I’m not claiming there was a pow-wow, where the referees discussed a strategic vendetta against Ferguson and his United team. But with his constant haranguing and kidney-punching in the press of late, he must expect some sort of retaliation.
These “insults” work on a subconscious level, a part of the mind we don’t understand but accept as being real.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if United don’t get a penalty for the rest of the season or if they draw some short straws with some decisions as the season progresses. But if that’s the case, they’ll have no-one else but Ferguson to blame.
Ferguson might truly believe that Marriner isn’t expierenced enough, he may think he’s a terrible referee and he won’t want to back down. But for the good of his club, he must swallow his pride.
Get Australia's best Football opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(7)
Luke W said | October 28th 2009 @ 6:56am | Report comment
It’s all part of the mind games. As a lot of people correctly pointed out, Ferguson always makes a controversial comment to put the spotlight on himself when his team is performing badly. Rather than all the papers running stories all week about how the Manchester dynasty is over, they are all talking about Sir Alex. He is a very smart manager.
Freud of Football said | October 28th 2009 @ 7:43am | Report comment
Having just watched the game against Barnsley I have to report it was one of the best refereeing displays I’ve seen this season. Foy did a fine job, the da Silva’s were constantly being fouled as was Obertan in the first period and he didn’t miss one incident but didn’t brandish any unnecessary yellow cards either, even though the young brazilians in particular were whinging about the constant attention.
Neville’s red card was deserved, studs up and although he’ll argue that he couldn’t stop his momentum and there was no malice intended (which is true, on another day Neville would have tried to end Hamill’s career) it was still a red card. Perhaps Hamill should have seen yellow late on for his slide tackle from the side/behind but all-in-all a very good performance from Foy.
If there was going to be any hint of bias I certainly didn’t detect it in this game.
wes said | October 28th 2009 @ 10:29am | Report comment
The selective questioning of decisions is what amazes. In every match of football there are always going to be some decisions that don’t go your way but I think at the end of the day it evens out. Its part of football and I don’t think its not something that has to be highlighted too which Sir Alex sometimes does.
Guy Smiley said | October 28th 2009 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
Anything Ferguson says to the press is calculated to achieve a specific end-result. He is a master at bluff and bluster and unsettling his enemies, perceived or real. He’s been in the hot seat for 23 years because he is equally adept at managing his team off the park as well as on. Like Luke W said, very smart.
Freud of Football said | October 28th 2009 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
“Sheens wants pow-wow with referees” – http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=921070
The Roar should sue them for plaigarism.
Colin N said | October 29th 2009 @ 4:31am | Report comment
For what?
Michael said | October 29th 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Sir Alex with this quote is basically saying that a Liverpool vs Manchester United match is more important than other matches over the weekend, and should have got the best (most experienced, yet still fittest) referee.
Ideally, every referee would be perfect, but we know that is not the case, and my issue lies with Ferguson’s reference that this game was more important than others.
Every match in the Premier League should have equal weighting in terms of importance until such a time where teams cannot finish in European Qualifying positions or be relegated are facing each other. Every match is potentially worth 3 points to every team, and the value of these 3 points is unknown until such a time that a team’s position in the table cannot change.
For Ferguson to suggest that the more experienced referee should have been at his game, and not at Hull vs Portsmouth, or West Ham vs Arsenal is ludicrous. Who is to say that because of the mistakes the referee in the West Ham vs Arsenal game will not cost Arsenal the title, or by Scott Parker missing the next match for West Ham, they get relegated, are less important than the mistakes of refereeing in the Liverpool Manchester United match?
Ferguson should count himself lucky that because of the referee’s inexperience, Vidic didn’t get a straight red card and see him banned for 3 matches.