Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has been handed a three-match ban and a £7,500 fine for misconduct: Report
Manchester United’s assistant coach, Darren Fletcher, has been handed a three-match ban and a £7,500 fine by the Football Association (FA) for misconduct during their Premier League match against Brentford on October 19, 2024.
The incident occurred during the first half of the match, which was goalless at the time. Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt suffered a head injury and was forced off the field by the referee, Samuel Barrott, to receive treatment. While de Ligt was off the field, Brentford scored a goal through Ethan Pinnock, leading to a heated reaction from the Manchester United coaching staff.
Yellow Cards
Both Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were shown yellow cards for their protests on the touchline. However, it was Fletcher who faced the most severe punishment for his actions. The Scotsman was seen angrily protesting the referee’s decision and continued his tirade in the tunnel during half-time, where he confronted both Barrott and the fourth official, Gavin Ward.
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The FA charged Fletcher with acting in an improper and/or confrontational manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words towards the match officials. Although Fletcher admitted to the misconduct, he denied using abusive language. However, an independent Regulatory Commission found the FA’s allegations to be proven and imposed the three-match ban and fine.
Upcoming Matches
This ban will see Fletcher miss Manchester United’s upcoming matches against Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Everton. It will also impact the start of Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United’s new manager. Amorim, who was recently appointed as the club’s new head coach, will have to navigate his first few games without the assistance of his assistant coach.
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining discipline on the touchline and respecting the decisions of match officials. While passion and emotion are understandable in the heat of the moment, it is crucial for coaches to control their behavior and avoid crossing the line. The FA’s decision to impose a significant ban on Fletcher serves as a reminder of the consequences of such misconduct.
It remains to be seen how this incident will impact Manchester United’s performance in the coming weeks. However, it is clear that the club will need to find a way to cope without the presence of their experienced assistant coach.
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