Why No Fast-Track for Sir Fergie?

Saturday: Emmanuel Adebayor stands on the face of Robin Van Persie. 

Tuesday: Emmanuel Adebayor is charged with violent conduct. 

Thursday: Emmanuel Adebayor is given a three-match ban. 

Bish, bash, and indeed bosh—the FA's fast-track disciplinary system worked like a dream and Adebayor could not set foot on a Premier League pitch until he had served the requisite time for his rather obvious crime. 

But the FA's fast-track disciplinary system does not apply to some untouchables, so two days after Sir Alex Ferguson's entirely unprovoked, selfish and Machiavellian attack on referee Alan Wiley, the FA confirm that they have politely written to the Scotsman to 'explain his comments.'

Ferguson will presumably deign to reply in a week's time and then—after a few days of deliberation—the FA will issue a slap on the wrist (usually a warning of future conduct), by which time the media have lost interest after two more weeks of crunching challenges, disgraceful dives, tasteless celebrations, and the odd footballer arrest. 

Errant footballers have to pay an immediate price for their indiscretions on the pitch and yet managers are allowed the grace of time for their comments to fade out of the public eye.

Two seasons ago, Ferguson was finally given a warning from the FA almost two months after his referee rant following the FA Cup loss to Portsmouth and the news eventually merited three or four paragraphs in the national press because the news agenda had moved on. 

What Ferguson did on Saturday was ridiculous, and it is almost as ridiculous that he has not yet apologized. He was not even asked about the refereeing of Alan Wiley—why would he be? It was not contentious—but instead responded to a question about Ben Foster with an entirely unfounded and considered speech that he knew would detract attention away from the poor nature of United's display. 

Hooray for clever diversionary tactics, some may cry, but Wiley is not Rafa Benitez or Arsene Wenger—he did not sign up for the kind of personal attack that will see him become an easy target for fans, players and managers in the coming months. According to some reports he has had to be persuaded not to retire.

What Ferguson did was inexcusable—and, according to Jeff Winter, probably sueable - and he should not be allowed the time and space to 'explain his comments' in a letter to the FA. 

They know exactly what he's said—what could the explanation possibly be if not "Well, Ben Foster was sh**e, I probably shouldn't have played Danny Wellbeck and I have no idea if Rio and Nemanja will ever play well again together, so I thought I'd buy myself some time by having a bit of a pop at the referee"? 

Archaic red tape may be binding the FA in this case, but surely if players can be punished within the space of days for what happens in the heat of the moment, managers should face speedier censure for coldly using referees to detract from their own mistakes

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