The good, the bad and the ugly (From Swindon Advertiser)

The good, the bad and the ugly

7:40am Monday 13th February 2012 in STFC News By Gary Rose

Despite protesting his innocence, Swindon Town boss Paolo Di Canio has been handed a two-match ban for being sent to the stands for the third time this season.

GARY ROSE compares PDC’s indiscretion to other managerial punishments recently handed out by the Football Association

MANCHESTER UNITED BOSS SIR ALEX FERGUSON ‘The crime’:Criticising linesman. ‘The time’: No action taken

Sir Alex Ferguson escaped disciplinary action recently after he had criticised linesman Darren Cann shortly after Manchester United’s 3-3 draw at Chelsea.

The Scot, angered at Cann’s decision not to flag for a foul by Gary Cahill on Danny Welbeck, said in his post-match interview: “That linesman (Cann), (has) given a penalty kick against us from 40 yards away last year against Liverpool, this year against Arsenal - and he can’t see that?

“He is all too happy to flag at Old Trafford for penalty kicks.”

Despite his comments the FA chose not to take action.

However, Ferguson is not immune from punishment from English football’s governing body.

He was handed a five-match touchline ban in March last year following an outburst against referee Martin Atkinson in a defeat to Chelsea.

MK DONS BOSS KARL ROBINSON

‘The crime’:Berating referee.‘The time’: £1,250 fine

Last month Karl Robinson escaped with just a £1,250 fine and no touchline ban after he was sent to the stands in MK Dons’ 1-0 win over Colchester at the start of the year.

The former Blackburn Rovers coach was given his marching orders after entering the field of play to berate referee Carl Berry for one his decisions.

Robinson criticised Berry’s performance after the game, stating: “”He basically said `you’re sent off son’ - what an arrogant person to say that. I thought his performance was laughable but we came over the line with a victory.”

The 31-year-old, like Paolo Di Canio, was charged with improper conduct but avoided a touchline ban and was given the monetary punishment along with a warning over his future behaviour.

GRIMSBY JOINT-BOSS ROB SCOTT

‘The crime’: Multiple counts of improper conduct. ‘The time’: Awaiting charge

Former Rotherham defender Rob Scott was handed a two-match ban last week after he was sent to the stands in Grimsby’s 6-0 win over Bath City towards the end of January.

Scott was accused of a breach of FA Rule E3 - using language and/or behaviour relating to improper conduct and using insulting words to a match official.

The 38-year-old was then hit with another charge of improper conduct in relation to his post-match comments, where he criticised the performance of referee Amy Fearn.

“I’m not going to apologise for being determined to win. Like me or loathe me that’s the way I am. I can’t change, I’ve tried but it doesn’t have the same effect on how I coach or affect football matches,” said Scott at the time.

“I’m just disappointed that a woman’s (referee Amy Fearn) got one over on me in the fact that she sent me to the stands, no warning, just straight to the stands.

“It isn’t sexist and it would be the same if it were a man refereeing, if you’re not good enough, you’re not good enough.

MAN CITY BOSS ROBERTO MANCINI

‘The crime’: Unsportsmanlike conduct. ‘The time’: No action taken

Paolo Di Canio’s compatriot came under fire last month for gesturing to referee Martin Atkinson that Maynor Figueroa should be sent off during the game between Manchester City and Wigan.

It was not the first time that Mancini had waved an imaginary card at officials, doing the same against Liverpool after Martin Skrtel had conceded a penalty against City.

Mancini has escaped punishment from the FA on each occasion, despite plenty of condemnation from his fellow managers, including Di Canio.