Ferguson hit with touchline ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been banned from the bench for four games - two of them suspended - and fined 20,000 pounds ($32,000) for criticising the fitness of referee Alan Wiley after a Premier League game.

Ferguson received the punishment when he appeared before a Football Association disciplinary panel at Wembley Stadium on a misconduct charge.

After his team drew 2-2 with Sunderland on October 3, Ferguson said Wiley was not fit enough to handle the game. Although he later apologised, the FA has banned him from the bench for two domestic games and left two more suspended until the end of the 2010-11 season.

Ferguson was also warned as to his future conduct.