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Manchester United first-team coach Darren Fletcher has been sanctioned with a “three-match extended touchline ban” and a £7,500 fine by the Football Association (FA) for misconduct during the 2-1 win against Brentford on October 19.
Fletcher was incensed by the referee’s decision to make Matthijs de Ligt leave the field of play with a blood injury just moments before the Bees scored from a corner.
The coach, along with the rest of the United staff, were adamant the goal would not have stood if their key defender had been allowed to stay on the pitch, as they believed he should given the blood was dried.
In the midst of these remonstrations, which extended down the tunnel as the half-time whistle blew, Fletcher confronted the officials in what the FA alleged was an “abusive” manner.
The FA claim Fletcher had “acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or that he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees around the tunnel area at half time” during the match at Old Trafford.
The United coach admitted to misconduct but disagreed he was abusive towards the officials. However, an independent Regulatory commission found this to be “proven” and “imposed his sanctions.”
An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a three-match extended touchline ban and £7,500 fine on Darren Fletcher for misconduct at Manchester United’s Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday 19 October.
Full statement: https://t.co/a42eyp6MTJ pic.twitter.com/S0KuP5xKWl
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) November 8, 2024
Tweet: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a three-match extended touchline ban and £7,500 fine on Darren Fletcher for misconduct at Manchester United’s Premier League match against Brentford on Saturday 19 October.”
Fletcher is set to miss United’s match against Leicester City this weekend, as well as Ruben Amorim’s first game at the helm against Ipswich Town on November 24 and Everton on December 1.
However, Simon Peach (PA) reveals the Scot is planning to appeal the ruling with United “hoping to reduce” the ban.
#MUFC coach Darren Fletcher has been hit by the FA with a three-match touchline ban for misconduct v Brentford – a sanction the club are hoping to reduce on appeal. The ban covers Leicester, Ipswich (Amorim’s first game) & Everton
— Simon Peach (@SimonPeach) November 8, 2024
Tweet: “#MUFC coach Darren Fletcher has been hit by the FA with a three-match touchline ban for misconduct v Brentford – a sanction the club are hoping to reduce on appeal. The ban covers Leicester, Ipswich (Amorim’s first game) & Everton”
Separate from this situation, it will be interesting to see what role Fletcher takes on, if any, when Amorim arrives from Portugal, accompanied by his support staff at Sporting.
If the 39-year-old manager wants a coaching team comprised completely of familiar faces to him, the ban Fletcher is facing from the Old Trafford touchline will soon morph into a permanent one.
