Doncaster manager Darren Ferguson has been fined £1,000 by the Football Association after saying he would “shoot” League One’s “appalling” referees following the 1-1 draw with Plymouth earlier this month.
Rovers were denied a “blatant penalty” in the last minute at the Keepmoat Stadium on January 13 when James Coppinger was felled in the box, much to the ire of Ferguson, who launched a scathing attack on referee Andy Baines.
Ferguson was asked by BBC Radio Sheffield how he would like the FA to address the issue, and the 45-year-old responded by saying: “The referees are part-time and the standard is appalling, their fitness levels are a disgrace, I’ve had enough of it.
“What can I do? Shoot them, it would be a good idea.”
Ferguson apologised for his remarks the following day, branding them as “tongue in cheek” and stressing that he does not advocate violence against officials.
A statement from the FA on Wednesday morning read: “Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Ferguson has been fined £1,000 after admitting that his media comments after the match against Plymouth Argyle on 13 January 2018 were improper and brought the game into disrepute.”
