Sir Alex Ferguson(credit:
Ryu Voelkel)
Sir Alex Ferguson’s five-match touchline ban is too harsh, according to Chelsea counterpart Carlo Ancelotti.
Manchester United boss Ferguson has been hit with the suspension, and a £30,000 fine, for comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson following the Red Devils’ recent defeat to Chelsea.
Ferguson was furious with Atkinson’s decision not to show David Luiz a second yellow card for a foul on Wayne Rooney, and the Scot was also unhappy with the penalty decision that led to the Blues’ winner and the decision to send off Nemanja Vidic.
Following the match, the 69-year-old told MUTV: “You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that.
“I must say, when I saw who the referee was I feared it. I feared the worst.”
Ferguson has now been found guilty of improper conduct by the Football Association and will sit in the stands for five matches, including two huge games against Manchester City and Arsenal.
But Ancelotti feels Ferguson has been hard done by.
The Italian said: “I think that, my opinion is that Ferguson has always had good behaviour and I think five games now is too much.
“There is no reason he has to be out for five matches and I do not think that can change their strength and the power of Manchester United.”