**The Football Association has confirmed it will be looking into Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson’s criticism of referee Alan Wiley over the weekend.**The Scot lambasted Wiley’s fitness levels after watching his side snatch a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sunderland.
“The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It was ridiculous,” he said.
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce’s comments on referee Peter Walton after Sunday’s loss to Arsenal will also be reviewed.
The 54-year-old hit out after his side’s 6-2 defeat at the Emirates, during which the official failed to give a penalty for Thomas Vermaelen’s apparent trip on David Dunn when the score was 3-2.
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He said: “It was a blatant penalty. In the pressure pot of this league, you have to get major decisions right. If they (the officials) are not good enough, we should find someone who is.”
While managers are allowed to make comments on an official’s performance, the FA insists they must not imply bias, question their integrity or engage in what could be construed as a personal attack.
Ferguson added on Saturday: "I was disappointed with the referee.
"He didn’t add on any time for the goal [United’s equaliser in injury time]. He played four minutes and two seconds. He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest.
“You see referees abroad who are as fit as butcher’s dogs. [Alan Wiley] was taking 30 seconds to book a player. He was not fit.”
During the game, Ferguson twice headed towards the touchline during the second half to make his feelings known about decisions made by the officials.
At one point, after he felt Anderson had been denied a penalty, he jabbed his finger at fourth official Mike Dean and then pointed angrily to the pitch.
Allardyce, meanwhile, said he had no choice but to speak out about Walton’s performance on Sunday, saying: "I try not to say too much publicly and say it through the system but unfortunately the system is not working so I have to be heard.
"People may say it is bitter or twisted, but I know I am 100% right because I am very professional in what I do. I research everything and [referees’ chief] Keith Hackett knows I am right.
"I don’t want to detract from Arsenal, but it was blatant.
“That decision wasn’t good enough and it had a major effect on the course of this game.”