Fergie gets punished

Sir Alex Ferguson has been fined £5,000 and given a two game touchline ban after making comments at or about Mark Clattenburg during Man Utd's match with Bolton in late November.

Ferguson declined to fight a misconduct charge brought by the FA over his use of 'insulting words' to referee Mark Clattenburg following the half-time whistle at United's recent Barclays Premier League encounter with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Clattenburg sent Ferguson to the stands for the second period following the United manager's finger-jabbing rant and with a 14-day notice period, the Scot will not be present in the Red Devils dug-out for the trip to West Ham on December 29 or the home encounter with Birmingham on New Year's Day, 24 hours after he celebrates his 66th birthday.

An FA statement said: "At a Regulatory Commission hearing yesterday (Thursday), Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was given a two-match touchline ban, starting on Friday 28 December. He was also fined £5,000.

"Ferguson admitted a charge of using abusive and/or insulting words towards referee Mark Clattenburg at half-time of United's game against Bolton on Saturday 24 November.

"As he did not request a personal hearing, the case was dealt with on the basis of written statements and video footage."