MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has accepted the fine and five-game suspension he received for making critical comments about a referee after a Premier League match.
Ferguson is “disappointed” about the discipline, but will not appeal the $48,000 fine and ban.
The Football Association has accepted a request for Ferguson’s suspension to begin immediately rather than Tuesday, meaning the Scot can return for the May 1 league match against title rival Arsenal.
Ferguson was disciplined for criticizing Martin Atkinson’s following a 2-1 loss to Chelsea on March 1, saying his team didn’t get a “fair” referee.
Ferguson said Thursday that soccer is “the only industry you can’t tell the truth in.”
