The Manchester United manager, who admitted an FA charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as “unfit” after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3.

But on Thursday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined 20,000 pounds (33,148 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct following his “grossly improper and wholly inappropriate” comments about Wiley.

Peter Griffiths, chairman of the regulatory commission which decided Ferguson’s punishment, said after Thursday’s hearing: “Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Ferguson’s achievements and stature within the game.

“Having said that, it was made clear to Sir Alex that with such stature comes increased responsibilities.

“The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. He should never have said what he did say.”

Ferguson, who will receive the commission’s full findings on Friday, has the right of appeal.

The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence.

Ferguson accused Wiley of not being “fit enough for a game of that standard” and of “walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest”.

The 67-year-old Scot has since apologised to Wiley.

Ferguson issued his apology on United’s website following comments his remarks had undermined the FA’s ‘Respect’ campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees at all all levels of the game.

“I apologise to Mr Wiley for any personal embarrassment that my remarks may have caused and to the FA for going public with my views,” Ferguson said at the time.

“My only intention in speaking publicly was to highlight what I believe to be a serious and important issue in the game, namely that the fitness levels of referees must match the ever-increasing demands of the modern game, which I hope will now be properly addressed through the appropriate formal channels.”

Following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month, Ferguson questioned whether Andre Marriner, who took charge of the game at Anfield, had the required experience for a match of such significance.


He also accused Martin Atkinson of being in an “absolutely ridiculous” position when he awarded Chelsea the free-kick that led to their winner against United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

• Premier League
• Champions League
• Europa League
• Spanish League
• Italian League
• French League
• And Much More..!

Click Here To Watch Live

Portuguese midfielder Mendes saw red for two bookings before half-time and Ibrox manager Smith was sent to the stands for protesting too aggressively against the decision.

But despite playing for 45 minutes with ten men, the Scottish champions – who have now drawn their last two league matches – were able to withstand severe Kilmarnock pressure to maintain their unbeaten record.

Their cause was helped when Killie’s Manuel Pascali was dismissed for a second booking nine minutes from full-time.

Veteran defender David Weir returned to the Rangers line-up after he missing the midweek Champions League draw in Stuttgart through injury, while midfielder Lee McCulloch was deployed at centre-half in place of the suspended Madjid Bougherra.

Kilmarnock had the first sight of goal when Craig Bryson picked out Conor Sammon, but the big striker’s close-range effort was kept out by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Mendes then picked up a harsh yellow card for clipping the heels of Bryson as Rangers struggling to get going.

There was a lack of cohesion about their play which was summed up when Steven Naismith shot wildly over after John Fleck’s free-kick rebounded into his path.

Naismith wasted a much better chance moments later when a point-blank shot was blocked by the legs of Kilmarnock goalkeeper Mark Brown.

With half-time fast approaching, Naismith was threatening again, this time running on to a Steven Davis ball only to be denied by Brown, who raced off his line to claim.

The game erupted two minutes from the interval when Mendes picked up a second yellow card for another foul on Bryson and Smith was sent to the stand for his reaction in the dug-out.

Danny Invincibile wasted a golden opportunity to open the scoring soon after the break when his close-range header was blocked by McGregor. Invincibile pounced on the rebound but hooked his shot over the crossbar.

The hosts were turning the screw now and only the woodwork denied Jamie Hamill, when his swerving effort crashed off the inside of the post and back into play.

With nine minutes to go, Kilmarnock were also reduced to ten men when Pascali picked up a second yellow card for a foul on Davis.

But Killie could still have snatched a winner at the last when McGregor did well to parry a close-range volley from Sammon.

Tevez is expected to win his fight to recover from a knee injury in time to line up against his former United teammates on his first return to the club he left to join City in a £24 million deal during the close-season.

Ferguson might have preferred to have kept Tevez, but if he did he has done a good job of hiding that feeling amid the war of words between both camps ahead of this derby.

The Scot admits he couldn’t care less if Tevez plays or not, claimed Emmanuel Adebayor is City’s best player and hinted that the Argentinian might be on the receiving end of some abuse from United supporters.

Ferguson said: “We offered what they asked for (for Tevez) at the beginning, when he joined us it was £24 million but he had obviously made his mind up.

“He may be surprised (at his reception). It is a different culture nowadays. Very emotional.

“United and Leeds players back in the 1960s had a full scrap, 22 players, and Denis Law got his strip ripped off him. The fans were just watching it. There was no emotion at all. But today it is a different world.”

Ferguson has been quick to stick the boot into City at every opportunity and took his chance again when asked if he could ever imagine a time when City would start one of these games as favourites to win.

He said: “What time is it? I think it is time for me to leave.

“Not in my life-time.”

Ferguson still has great respect for opposite number Mark Hughes, however and believes the City manager appreciates the size of his task at Eastlands as well as the soaring expectations.

Ferguson, who could be without Rio Ferdinand due to a groin problem while Paul Scholes is suspended, added: “Winning is the name of the game, I am afraid.

“That’s the horrible part for some of our managers. You have to win. I am sure he (Hughes) realises what is entailed in this game.

“He did a great job at Blackburn, under limited resources, and he obviously knew the time was right for him to leave for a club with a far bigger profile and history than Blackburn Rovers, and now that they have spent this money, he will have a sense of possible achievement.”

Hughes has spoken to City’s legal experts and revealed the club will challenge any ban handed out to Adebayor for his goal celebration against Arsenal last weekend.

Adebayor has been charged with improper conduct and could face a two game ban to go with the three game ban given to him by the FA for stamping on Robin Van Persie’s face in the same game.

Hughes said: “We have had time to construct our arguments and I think we have a view and with a longer period of time to make our feelings known in that respect.

“I think it is important not to take the emotion out of the game and that is part and parcel as to why it is such a huge game worldwide.

“But the circumstances of the game and the amount of criticism and vitriol that Ade had to take was not nice. It was a difficult situation for him, the first time he has come up against former team-mates and some of those teammates prior to the game felt like they could not shake his hand.

“All these things maybe affect somebody’s emotional state in the game and I just think the celebration was an outpouring of that.

“I have to say he did not leave the field of play, he slid on his knees which is his normal celebration.”

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Drogba sealed all three points for the English title contenders when, in the second minute of added-on time, his cross-shot floated over Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill at Stamford Bridge.

But it was Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal, written off by many pundits as a top-four side this term, who ended the first day of the new season in pole position with a thumping win at Goodison Park against an Everton team who finished fifth last season.

Arsenal were 3-0 in front before half time. Brazilian midfielder Denilson put the Gunners ahead with a 26th-minute curling shot that gave Everton keeper Tim Howard no chance.

Belgian defender Thomas Vermaelen marked his debut by heading in from a Robin van Persie free-kick and it was a similar story when the equally unattended William Gallas nodded in from a Cesc Fabregas set-piece four minutes before the break.

Fabregas made it 4-0 early in the second-half when he crowned a rapid, length of the field, counter-attack with a stylish finish before the Spaniard scored his second after being allowed to run free by the Everton defence.

Eduardo added a sixth two minutes from time after Andrei Arshavin’s shot came back off the post before Louis Saha pulled one back for Everton.

In the day’s other Premier League matches, cash-rich Manchester City beat Blackburn 2-0 while Stoke defeated new boys Burnley by the same scoreline.

Fulham added to Portsmouth’s problems with a 1-0 win, Sunderland also grabbed a 1-0 win at Bolton while West Ham beat last season’s Championship winners Wolves 2-0, the same scoreline that gave Wigan victory at Aston Villa.

Drogba, who scored both of Chelsea’s goals, admitted his second was a lucky effort, telling Sky Sports: “It was a cross but the intention was always good.

“The belief is strong as always. I think today we showed it, we fight until the end of the game.”

Stephen Hunt marked his Hull debut by giving the Tigers a shock lead before Drogba equalised.

Chelsea should have gone ahead when Drogba shot wide from just six yards out and they were made to pay when Hunt gave Hull a 28th-minute lead after the ball broke in the box to the Republic of Ireland midfielder.

Less than ten minutes later Drogba equalised with a curling free-kick from 28 yards after John-Obi Mikel had been fouled.

Manchester City who, thanks to their Abu-Dhabi based owners, spent nearly £100 million on players during the close season, saw one of their new signings give them the lead at Ewood Park when Emmanuel Adebayor, the former Arsenal striker, fired home from Shaun Wright Phillips’s third minute cross.

Stephen Ireland added the second goal in the last minute.

Portsmouth, beset by uncertainty surrounding the proposed takeover of the club by Arab businessman Sulaiman Al-Fahim, were undone at Fratton Park when Clint Dempsey’s 13th-minute shot deflected off Bobby Zamora and past goalkeeper David James.

Wigan, in Roberto Martinez’s first match as a Premier League manager, stunned Aston Villa when Hugo Rodallega let fly from long range with a dipping shot that beat Brad Friedel.

Jason Koumas made it 2-0 in the 56th minute.

Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent secured Sunderland’s victory against Bolton with a fifth-minute header.

Mark Noble put West Ham in front at Molineux with a curling first-half shot before Matthew Upson’s header from a corner doubled the Hammers’ lead in the 69th minute.

Stoke were 2-0 up inside 34 minutes against Burnley, playing their first top-flight match in 33 years.

Ryan Shawcross headed Stoke in front before Burnley’s Stephen Jordan put into his own net.

Champions Machester United begin their quest for a record fourth successive English title at home to Birmingham on Sunday when arch-rivals Liverpool welcome Tottenham Hotspur to Anfield.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

The team held Real Madrid’s starters at bay through the first half on Monday in front of a sellout crowd of 10,800 at Tallaght Stadium.

A late strike from Karim Benzema gave the visitors a 1-0 win.

Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, struck one free kick wide right and the other straight into a wall of Rovers players. He also had a shot wide before being substituted at halftime.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

“He may come back, you never know,” Ferguson told Britain’s Press Association in Kuala Lumpur where the team are on a pre-season Asian tour.

“Sometimes it happens that way. He loved United. If you look back at the six years he had with us, he never missed training.” Ronaldo became the world’s most expensive player when he moved to Real Madrid on a six-year deal worth around €94 million and he made a low-key debut against Shamrock Rovers in Ireland on Monday.

Still just 24, Ferguson was quoted as saying Ronaldo’s best was yet to come, describing him as the top player in the world by a long shot.

“His best is yet to come. He’s only 24. He came to the right club at the right part of his career,” he said.

“He could have gone to Real Madrid, Barcelona or other clubs.

But he came to the right one and appreciates that. It was always his intention to make his move.

“There’s no doubt he’s a huge loss and I think it’s a challenge for us. It won’t be the same without Ronaldo, it can’t be.

“He’s the best player in this world by absolutely miles, streets ahead of Lionel Messi, and Kaka,” Ferguson added.

Madrid courted Ronaldo all through last summer but he decided to stay and try to help United defend their 2008 Champions League title, featuring in their final loss in May to Barcelona.

Although United retained their English Premier League title, Ronaldo has said he made up his mind to leave in May 2007.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

Owen struck after 13 minutes from close range for his second goal in as many games, soon after teenage striker Federico Macheda put the team in front.

But despite countless other chances they failed to stretch their lead in the energy-sapping conditions. On a steamy night, the teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of those who died in the Jakarta bombings last Friday.

United were due play Indonesia on Monday but cancelled the trip after the hotel they were to stay in was hit by the blasts which killed eight people and injured more than 50.

Sir Alex Ferguson rang the changes for this hastily-arranged match, the second against the hard-working Malaysians in as many days following their sluggish 3-2 win on Saturday, with Jonny Evans the only player to keep his place.

After coming off the bench to score on his debut, Owen was in the starting 11 for the first time, teaming up with Macheda up front.

Despite a blunder in their opening game of the tour Ben Foster started in goal with Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Fabio, and Evans at the back.

Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Zoran Tosic were in the middle.

Fletcher was the first to trouble the keeper with a deep cross from the right and it wasn’t much longer before United got the breakthrough with Macheda latching onto the end of a low cross in the 11th minute.

The big Italian, who became an instant hero when he scored a stunning injury time winner on his debut against Aston Villa in April, controlled the ball before slotting home with his right foot.

It was 2-0 two minutes later when Owen once again showed he has lost none of his predatory instincts, pouncing on a loose ball in the box after Tosic crossed from the left, driving it into the net from close range.

Giggs was enjoying himself running at the defence while Owen was unlucky not to get a second when his cheeky back heel hit the post.

Dimitar Berbatov replaced the former Newcastle hitman after 61 minutes, part of a quadruple substitution, with fresh legs needed.

Wayne Rooney came on soon after and missed a golden opportunity when he scuffed a left foot shot while Darron Gibson almost found the net with his first touch.

But despite pressing the goals dried up and Rooney was lucky not to be sent off for a reckless tackle near the end of the game.

They next play FC Seoul on Friday, with Park Ji-Sung, who missed the Malaysia leg, joining his teammates in the South Korean capital.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

The former Newcastle and England striker, who moved to Old Trafford on a free transfer this month, came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney after 60 minutes with the score at 2-2 and made the most of his chance.

Wearing the club’s famous number seven shirt, he pounced with five minutes left, picking up the ball just inside the box and rounding the goalkeeper before planting a right foot shot into the net.

It dug United out of a hole after they let a two goal lead, courtesy of Rooney and Nani, slip.

Goalkeeping errors let the home team back in the game, with Amri Yahyah capitalising both times.

“At 2-0 we were in a very nice position but the goal they got galvanised them and they gave us a real battle,” admitted United coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

“But I’m happy with what we did, it was out first game and we needed that type of game to get us going.” He added that the winning goal was a typical Owen strike and one that didn’t surprise him.

“It was a typical Michael Owen goal. When Ryan (Giggs) went through the first man to react was Owen. It was a good start for him.”

OWEN ON THE BENCH

Ferguson brought a 22-man squad to Asia and said ahead of the game he would start with his best 11 — and it didn’t include Owen.

Instead, Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov led the attack with the promising Darron Gibson wide on the right and Nani on the left.

Paul Scholes and Anderson were in the middle while Rio Ferdinand took the captain’s armband ahead of Gary Neville.

Joining him in defence was Patrice Evra, Johnny Evans and John O’Shea, with Edwin Van Der Sar in goal.

Rooney had the first chance when he forced a fine save from goalkeeper Farizal Marlias after just two minutes with Evans also going close with a header from the resulting corner.

The breakthrough came on seven minutes when Gibson sent the ball over from the right and Berbatov’s shot was saved by Marlias only for Rooney to pick up the rebound for an easy tap in.

Rooney was in the thick of the action and nearly made it 2-0 a minute later when his shot was tipped over the bar.

United though were clearly rusty and missed the flair of Cristiano Ronaldo, with passes going astray and Malaysia being given too much room.

Despite this, United doubled their lead on 27 minutes after Rooney timed a pass perfectly to Nani who slotted the ball home with his left foot from close range.

But complacency crept in as half-time neared and Van Der Saar was caught napping by Yahyah who cleverly lobbed the ball over the Dutchman’s head from 30 yards to set the crowd alight.

Ben Foster replaced him for the second half but fared no better, committing a schoolboy error when he failed to clear a back pass, which Yahyah pounced on to draw Malaysia level after 52 minutes.

It prompted Ferguson to make four substitutions with Owen, Wes Brown, Zoran Tosic and Fabio all coming on.

The match looked headed for a draw before Owen worked some of his old magic to get their pre-season off on the right foot.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts

The 25-year-old Togo international, who has penned a five-year contract, joins an impressive City forward line.

The big-spending Premier League club already boasts Carlos Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz, also signed in the close season, plus Robinho, Craig Bellamy and Benjani Mwaruwari.

City are bankrolled by wealthy Arab owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan and considered the richest club in the world.

British media estimated the transfer fee paid for Adebayor was about £25 million.

“I have come here to make history for this club and those supporters. It’s what the chairman and the manager told me they want too and I can’t wait to get started,” Adebayor told the City website (www.mcfc.co.uk).

City manager Mark Hughes added: “Emmanuel has been one of the top forwards in the Premier League since he arrived from France and we are delighted he has agreed to come and join us”.

CLEAR INDICATION

“His arrival is another clear indication that we are determined to augment the players we have here with the best of international talent.”

Adebayor joined Arsenal in 2006 from AS Monaco as a relative unknown and began attracting interest from other clubs after a career best tally of 30 goals in 48 games in the 2007/08 season.

The lanky frontman was deprived of a strike partner at Arsenal for much of last season following injury lay-offs to team mates Robin van Persie and Eduardo but still hit 16 goals, including 10 in the Premier League.

Adebayor did not win a trophy with Arsenal, the closest he came was in the 2007 League Cup final during which he was sent off in the defeat by Chelsea.

He was cup-tied for Arsenal’s 2006 Champions League final after playing in earlier rounds for Monaco.

SOMETHING SPECIAL

“We’ll miss him but, of course, we want to focus on the players who are with us at the moment and want to wish him well and thank him for what he has done for the club,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports.

“I’m sure he will give something special to Man City,” he added just before the deal was announced.

City manager Mark Hughes has set about creating a side ready to challenge for Champions League qualification next season.

Adebayor is City’s fourth major signing of the transfer window following Tevez, who joined from Manchester United with a reported fee of £25.5 million paid to his representatives, Santa Cruz who arrived from Blackburn Rovers and England midfielder Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

“He adds vital balance and power to our attack,” added Hughes. “He has everything a top forward needs. He is versatile, powerful, quick and agile on the ball.

“I am looking forward to working with him as are the rest of the staff. He will definitely add a new dimension to our play. I have been a great admirer for a long time.”

The 2008 African Footballer of the Year, who will now head out to South Africa to join City’s tour, scored 62 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal.

Join the forum discussion on this post - (1) Posts