Graham Poll- FA should give Sir Alex Ferguson some leeway

Last updated : 03 March 2011 By Daily Mail

As I wrote in Sportsmail on Wednesday, Ferguson's side suffered from a series of poor decisions by Martin Atkinson.

Chelsea won the game thanks to a penalty but United were denied a more obvious spot-kick of their own, and David Luiz somehow managed to avoid a red card despite three separate challenges which were worthy of bookings.

So I understand that, when Ferguson gave an interview minutes after the game, the defeat was still raw and he was angry at the effect Atkinson's decisions had on the outcome. If you prod a hornets' nest, expect to be stung.

Post-match interviews provide a great service to fans, but I think the FA should acknowledge that emotions are running high, and allow managers leeway in what they say.

This is exactly the same principle which referees apply to dissent and abusive language during a match: officials will generally make allowances for 'heat of the moment' abuse.

If a player, believing he has been fouled, responds with an angry outburst at a referee, he will not be punished.

If, however, the same player approaches the referee a few minutes later and directs at him a considered, abusive tirade which questions the official's integrity, he should be sent off.

Similarly, if a manager attacks a referee in the build-up, or in the days after a game, that should be treated as far more serious than comments made in the aftermath of a painful loss.

 

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail