FA Scared Of Fergie

Everyone abides by the same rules—except if your name is Sir Alex Ferguson.

It's quite remarkable that Fergie escaped punishment from the FA for his on-field tirade of referee Mike Dean and his team of officials. The confrontation happened at the start of the second-half, revolving around Dean overruling his linesman and allowing Newcastle's second goal, which gave them the lead heading into the break.

It wasn't a physical altercation—more like a scolding of a petulant child in an aggressive manor. I’m not insinuating that the war of words affected Dean's judgment or professionalism in the second-half, but, the talking-down by Fergie was not professional.

Alan Pardew voiced his opinion that a charge by the FA was warranted for Fergie's outburst—having been on the receiving end of a couple FA charges for altercations with assistant referee's down the touchline. Granted, the United managers actions weren't of a similar nature and does not deserve similar punishment. But, rules are rules, and his conduct on Boxing Day at Old Trafford warranted some type of slap on the wrist at the very least.

Red Devil fans would be in agreement had the shoe been on the other foot. Any type of aggression towards an official during a match is unacceptable.

Never short of words and always ready for a confrontation, Fergie lashed out at Pardew for his comments against him and blowing the incident out of proportion. Surely, he should be the last person to be accusing someone else of that type of behaviour. Just three days before, Fergie stated with a straight face that Robin van Persie could have died on the pitch following Ashley Williams’ deliberate kick of the ball to the back of his head. Could this have resulted in a mild concussion? Maybe. But death? Absolutely not. 

"I was demonstrative. I am always demonstrative. Everyone knows that. I am an emotional guy. But I was not abusive." Ferguson stated. Talk about playing down your actions. But, everyone is entitled to their opinion—Im just not buying it.

It didn't end there; Fergie took it to the next level with this comment about everyone overreacting to the incident, "The only person they have not spoken to is Barack Obama because he is busy. It is unfortunate but I am the manager of the most famous club in the world. Not Newcastle, a wee club in the north-east."

Luckily, the two sides will not meet again this season unless they are drawn together in the FA Cup. If that does happen, Fergie should hope the fixture is on home ground and not at St. James Park.

Geordie nation will forever remember his words as a slap in the face.