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'A bit silly' UEFA tackles Ferguson over draw-rigging allegationsPosted: Tuesday April 08, 2003 6:19 AMNYON, Switzerland (AP) -- European soccer body UEFA on Tuesday opened disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after he claimed that the Champions League quarterfinal draw was rigged. UEFA said Ferguson was suspected of bringing the sport into disrepute. UEFA regulations say officials should "conduct themselves according to the principle of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship." Ferguson was widely quoted in Sunday's English newspapers suggesting UEFA had conspired to force Manchester United to meet defending champion and favorite Real Madrid in the quarterfinal round. "It was a nice draw, wasn't it," Ferguson was quoted saying in the News of the World newspaper. "I think they picked it themselves." "The Spanish sides didn't get drawn against each other, neither did the Italians. How do you think that worked out? They don't want us in the final, that's for sure." United plays Real Madrid in the opening leg of the quarterfinal in Spain later Tuesday. UEFA spokesman Mike Lee called Ferguson's statement "a bit unfortunate, a bit silly, and not true." "It sounds a bit like some of Fergie's mind games that he sometimes plays ahead of major matches," he said. The case will be heard on May 1. |
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