10 Feb 2013

Ferguson fined for linesman criticism

6:09 pm on 10 February 2013

The Football Association says the Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been fined for misconduct after implying that a linesman was biased during the club's recent match with Tottenham.

The governing body says an independent regulatory commission had ordered the Old Trafford boss to pay nearly $23,000 for his post-match comments about assistant referee Simon Beck on January 20.

He made the comments in the immediate aftermath of the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane and was angry that United were not given a penalty for a foul on Wayne Rooney midway through the second half.

Spurs went on to snatch a late equaliser.

Ferguson denied the charge and claimed that United had "history" with Beck following the official's failure to rule that a Didier Drogba goal for Chelsea against United at Old Trafford in 2010 was offside in a match that proved pivotal in that season's title race.