Sir Alex Ferguson(credit:
Ryu Voelkel)
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be on the touchline for the huge Premier League showdown with Arsenal on May 1.
Ferguson looked set to banned for the match at the Emirates Stadium after being hit with a five-match suspension for improper conduct following his comments about referee Martin Atkinson earlier this month.
The 69-year-old was unhappy with the punishment handed down by the Football Association but the league leaders have confirmed there will be no appeal.
And they have also requested that the ban starts immediately, meaning he will be now absent from the dugout for this weekend’s game against Bolton Wanderers.
And now that Ferguson is starting his suspension one game early, it means his first game back after the ban will be the trip to the Emirates Stadium for a match against Arsenal that could determine the destination of the Premier League trophy.
A statement released by the FA read: “The FA can confirm that Manchester United will not be appealing Sir Alex Ferguson's five game touchline ban.
“Manchester United have also requested that the ban starts with immediate effect. This has been accepted by the FA.”