Football: Ferguson may face Uefa fine

ALEX FERGUSON is facing an anxious wait to find out if he will be fined by Uefa, which spelled out a firm reminder on behaviour to managers last night, writes Alan Nixon.

The Manchester United manager branded the Italian referee Stefano Braschi's handling of the draw with Barcelona as a "shocker" and some of his decisions "a disgrace." That language may lead Ferguson into the dock on 8 October when Uefa's control and disciplinary committee meets to review the match.

Ferguson could be in line for a penalty of his own after a media spokesman for European football's ruling body, Massimo Gonnella, said: "If we decide that the behaviour is incorrect something can be done. It's not a question of telling coaches what they can say, they should know. It's a question of common sense and education.

"Managers and coaches can say what they want but they are old enough and mature enough to know what can be done about it. We have a scale of punishment, but it is a case-by-case decision and we will see if it is raised at our next meeting."

The Independent Manchester United Supporters Association (IMUSA) lobbied the TUC's general council in Blackpool yesterday. The IMUSA chairman, Andy Walsh, claimed the general secretaries they spoke to were "very receptive".

Walsh added that IMUSA now hopes to organise a fringe meeting at the coming Labour Party conference.