Sir Alex on referees (From his autobigraphy).

[Colin C No.3]

"So perhaps it would serve a higher purpose for the referee to attend a press conference with his superioir along-side him & explain how he saw it. For instance, I would have found it interesting to hear from the Turkish referee who handled our Champions League tie against Real Madrid at Old Trafford in March 2013, & listen to what he has to say about Nani's sending off, which wasappalling.

A brief referee's press conference might be a step forward. You can't stop progress.

That'll do for me.

[idler]

So when he was at his most influential the referee not only had to worry about giving a decision he then had to face Fergie and explain it. That would have meant even fewer decisions against the bigger clubs in my eyes.

[Dare to dream!]

I think it would clear up a lot of confusion on why a ref gave that decision even if it wasn't correct.

On fergie's book in general it's a very good read, brilliant man.

[One_Matty_Lucas]

I read Mark Halseys autobiography (complimentary about DRFC and JR), he mentioned getting a right telling off for talking to BBC about a decision and thought you should be able to.

[drfcbenny625]

I'm sure plenty of teams playing against Fergie's united would want to question the ref. He had far more decisions go for him than against.

[River Don]

I just think it would raise the refs public profile, some already seem to revell in giving controversial decisions, the worry is some might actively seek the fame and notoriety.

Better to let them more anonymous, I reckon.

[Colin C No.3]

I just think it would raise the refs public profile, some already seem to revell in giving controversial decisions, the worry is some might actively seek the fame and notoriety.

Better to let them more anonymous, I reckon.

Anonymity gives you carte blanche 'authority' to make what often appear to the spectator (or manager) as arbitrary decisions.

By quoting Fergie it wasn't my intention to infer that ref's having to 'justify' his decisions (& I'm only talking here about decisions that would appear to the vast majority of spectators to be dubious) should be confined to the Premiership, and/or Man Utd in particular, I was merely using his opinion to underline my own.

Give me one good reason why ref's shouldn't be queried on contentious decisions, & pleeeease don't say 'added pressure'! Everyone else, in any walk of life, has to justify 'debatable' decisions that potentially have a huge impact on 'the end result', why not refs?   

[Dutch Uncle]

By the way does anyone else remember Sir Alex's brother Martin playing for us in the ill-fated 1966-7 season? He had been great for Barnsley the season before but unfortunately not so good for us.