Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over comments made about referee Martin Atkinson immediately after defeat to Chelsea in the league. Ferguson has until 4pm on Tuesday, March 8 to respond to the charge.
The Scot fumed at Atkinson over his failure to dismiss Chelsea goalscorer David Luiz for two clear bookable offences, then the official sent Ferguson into meltdown by awarding the Blues a late match winning penalty.
Although Ferguson's comments to host broadcaster Sky Sports are just within the boundaries, those to United's in-house TV station MUTV have caused concern in which he apparently cast doubt on the integrity of Atkinson.
"You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that," said Ferguson in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat.
"I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst."
Ferguson already has two matches of a four-game ban still hanging over him following his ill-advised comments about Alan Wiley last season.
