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Ferguson issues apology to Wiley

Author: Rose Young
Date: 11/10/2009
Football betting

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has apologised to Alan Wiley after criticising the referee last weekend for his poor fitness levels.

In the wake of United's 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Old Trafford last Saturday evening, the veteran Scot said that he thought Wiley was 'not fit enough for a game of that standard' and accused him of 'walking up the pitch for the second goal needing a rest'.

Despite apologising for the comments, Ferguson still believes the general fitness levels of officials in the Premier League is not up to standard.

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Meanwhile, Birmingham City chairman David Gold has decided to leave the club after rejecting the chance to become vice-chairman under the ownership of Carson Yeung.

The Hong Kong billionaire's takeover of the Blues was confirmed earlier in the week.

Gold replaced Jack Wiseman as chairman at St Andrew's in 1997 after taking control of the club with David Sullivan four years earlier.

Sullivan, managing director Karren Brady and Gold's brother Ralph have all left the club following Yeung's takeover.

In rugby union, last season's Heineken Cup champions and one of the online favourites to retain their crown, Leinster, made the worst possible start to this season's competition when they lost their opening pool game 12-9 to London Irish.

Ryan Lamb proved to be the Exiles' match-winner, kicking two second-half penalties, including what proved to be the vital one in the 80th minute from just inside the hosts' half.

Nicky Robinson was also on target with a late penalty as struggling Gloucester edged past Newport-Gwent Dragons 19-17 at Kingsholm.

The Wales international fly-half kicked 14 points as the Cherry and Whites struggled to impose their authority on the game.

James Arlidge and Joe Bearman scored first-half tries for the Welsh visitors while Gloucester's only touchdown came from flanker Akapusi Qera's 25th-minute effort.

Ravenhill continues to be a fortress for Ulster who opened their Pool Four campaign with an impressive 26-12 win over Bath.

In wet conditions in Belfast, fly-half Ian Humphreys scored 16 points for Ulster grabbing three penalties, a drop goal and two conversions.

Fijian winger Timoci Nagusa and Willie Faloon scored tries for the hosts while four penalties from Ryan Davis were Bath's only response.

Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has appealed against his 12-week ban for kicking England captain Steve Borthwick in the face during the Cherry and Whites' defeat at Saracens last month.

Azam was banned until December 29 after pleading guilty to the charge following an incident which left Borthwick needing five stitches in an eye wound.

Azam had only just returned from a nine-week eye-gouging ban, and will miss Gloucester's next ten games - four in the Heineken Cup and six in the Premiership - if he loses his appeal.

The Frenchman initially protested his innocence but pleaded guilty at a Rugby Football Union hearing in Bristol on Tuesday.

The appeal will be heard next Tuesday.

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