Ferguson given touchline ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a two-match touchline ban and fined 10,000 pounds (15,002 dollars) by a Football Association regulatory commission here Tuesday.

The Scot admitted a charge of improper conduct in relation to his behaviour towards referee Mike Dean following United's match against Hull City on Nov. 1, which saw the English champions hold on for a 4-3 win against the top-flight newcomers after being 4-1 up at Old Trafford.

In reaching its decision, the commission said it took into account Ferguson's admission of the charge and his previous disciplinary record.

Ferguson had to be restrained by United captain Gary Neville after a furious rant at Dean shortly after the final whistle.

He accused the referee of failing to give United's players adequate protection from what he said were over-zealous Hull challenges.

In particular, he was angry that Dean did not show a second yellow card to Michael Turner, the Hull defender, for a foul on Michael Carrick.

Ferguson, 66, was also angered by Dean's decision to award Hull a penalty for a foul by Rio Ferdinand on Bernard Mendy.

His ban comes into effect on Dec. 2, which means he won't be pitchside for the League Cup match against Premier League rivals Blackburn Rovers the following day.

He will also be away from the touchline when former United captain Roy Keane returns to Old Trafford as manager of Sunderland for a Premier League match on Dec. 6.

Ferguson, who served a two-match ban last term for a finger-jabbing rant at referee Mark Clattenburg following a defeat at Bolton, had said the FA were "dying" to lay this latest improper conduct charge against him.

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