Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been formally charged with improper conduct following his comments on the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.
Ferguson maintained Wiley couldn;t keep up with the play during his team's 2-2 Premier League draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford early this month.
The referees' union has called for Ferguson to be given a lengthy touchline ban.
The 67-year-old United boss has asked for a personal hearing with the English Football Association and a date has yet to be set.
