Manchester United first-team coach Darren Fletcher has been handed a three-game touchline ban and fined £7,500 by the Football Association (FA).
Fletcher was found to have “acted in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official and the referee and/or assistant referees” in United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford on October 19.
The 40-year-old admitted to this misconduct but denied that he was abusive. However, the FA’s independent Regulatory Commission found this to be proven and imposed a three-game suspension.
United are appealing the severity of Fletcher’s sanction.
Second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund saw United come from behind to defeat Brentford, who had scored in controversial circumstances before half-time.
Ethan Pinnock headed Brentford in front from a corner after United defender Matthijs de Ligt was ordered to leave the pitch to attend to a head injury.
De Ligt was required to receive treatment on the Old Trafford sidelines for a head injury he picked up in the first half, having collided with Brentford forward Kevin Schade’s knee.
Erik ten Hag, in what proved to be his final home match as United manager, appeared furious on the touchline and received a yellow card alongside assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy (now the club’s interim head coach) for his reaction from referee Sam Barrott.
United return to Premier League action on Sunday with a home match against Leicester City, one of three matches covered by Fletcher’s ban alongside an away match at Ipswich Town — Ruben Amorim’s first game as head coach — and the home game against Everton on December 1.
(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
