http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/oct/27/roberto-martinez-sir-alex-ferguson Roberto MartÃnez has accused the English football authorities of being intimidated by Sir Alex Ferguson, saying that the Scot is treated differently to other managers in the game. The Wigan Athletic manager insisted that his Manchester United counterpart is allowed to get away with more than his Premier League rivals, who would be "crushed" for committing the same crimes, and is protected by a cabal of coaches who court his favour. Ferguson has admitted a charge of improper conduct over remarks he made about the referee Alan Wiley following this month's 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford. He has apologised for causing Wiley "personal embarrassment" by questioning his fitness and there have been calls for him to be handed a lengthy touchline ban. He also courted controversy over his suggestion that Andre Marriner lacked the experience to referee Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. But MartÃnez expressed doubts that the punishment handed down will be as severe as that meted out to other coaches, as there is little appetite for taking Ferguson to task. "They have just sanctioned Ferguson for saying that referee was not fit enough and the truth is that they're almost apologising to him for punishing him," MartÃnez said. "Any other coach would have been crushed for that." Asked if Ferguson dictates English football, MartÃnez told the Spanish paper AS: "Yes, a lot." He added: "Ferguson has been here for a lifetime and that carries a lot of weight." MartÃnez believes that Ferguson's position is strengthened by a group of disciples whom the Scot cultivates as loyal allies against his enemies such as the Liverpool coach, Rafael BenÃtez. There was a hint, too, that MartÃnez suspects Ferguson dangles the carrot of Old Trafford succession before the eyes of those loyal to him. In April Ferguson attacked BenÃtez for having previously described David Moyes's Everton as a "small club" and for showing "contempt" for opponents with a gesture he made on the touchline during a 4-0 victory over Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers. Allardyce complained BenÃtez's gesture was humiliating – but only after Ferguson spoke out. He made no comment after the game about a signal BenÃtez said was a self-deprecating one to his own team. Allardyce and Moyes are close friends of Ferguson. Moyes has been widely touted as a candidate for Ferguson's job when he retires while MartÃnez believes Allardyce has designs on the post, too. "Ferguson has his group of faithfuls, people who are committed to him: Steve Bruce, who was a player with him, Sam Allardyce, who thinks he will be his successor at Old Trafford, and others," MartÃnez said. "On the other side there's Rafa BenÃtez and he gets attacked from all sides." The Football Association is being urged to commit Ferguson to an official agreement that he will curtail his criticism of referees. Ferguson has requested a personal hearing at which he will apologise again for accusing Wiley of booking players because he needed a rest from running but Alan Leighton, the national secretary of the trade union Prospect, of which referees are members, wants the FA to make an example of Ferguson. "We welcome the fact that he [Ferguson] has admitted his guilt and hope he will now dedicate himself to furthering the Respect agenda," said Leighton. "If I was someone on the [FA disciplinary] panel I might be asking him for a commitment not to do the same thing again." Take that you Manc Twat. Finally Rafa has somebody on his side. I know Martinez will say it was lost in translation because Dave Whelan will fire him for slagging his bum chum.
Good Man Roberto... Delighted some one has finally spoke out..Nice to see a young manager not afraid of whiskey nose.... More of this place from some of the other managers..
We just need a few more Rafa fans as managers and were laughing, maybe get Guillem Ballague on the FA too,. Fair play top Roberto though.
He'll be doing well to see out the season once Fergies mates latch onto this. At least he should pick up a job in La Liga as he has potential to be a good coach.
Delighted someone else has said something against Fergie and especially after only arriving to the PL, fair play Roberto.
ballsy i'll say that - usually any young manager that comes into the prem goes out of his way to kiss dementos ass. mite just be patriotism and he's looking for an ally but it took guts and i'll respect that. cue big angry purple head on demento - niiiice
Just by stating these comments Roberto Martinez has shown he is a man of character not content to suck up to Ferguson like many other Lap Dog premier league managers. Even though he is stating the obvious too many are afraid to say it, not just amongst the management fraternity but in the written media, television, officials etc. However I have noticed a turning of the tide since Rafas outburst in January where more people are willing to question his antics. Recently Alan Leighton, Jeff Winter and now Martinez have all refused to fall folly to the old 'Classic Fergie' party line. I'd imagine Ferguson will now resort to his usual bullying tactics in rounding up the masses to make life hell for Martinez.
I can see why I like this guy - he is a decent manager and is showing it at Wigan after a decent job at Swansea but he is straight and to the point like Benitez.
Take that you Manc Twat. Finally Rafa has somebody on his side. I know Martinez will say it was lost in translation because Dave Whelan will fire him for slagging his bum chum.[/QUOTE] Aye, Whelan has a picture of Slur Alex in his kitchen of all places. How can he even eat looking at that?