Manchester United coach could face ban following altercation with referee
Manchester United’s assistant coach, Darren Fletcher, is potentially facing disciplinary action after a heated incident with match officials during their recent 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford. The altercation occurred in the tunnel at half-time, with Fletcher confronting fourth official Gavin Ward and attempting to speak to the referee over a contentious decision.
The incident arose after Brentford scored a goal while United player Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch receiving treatment for a head injury. Referee Sam Barrott will be submitting his report to the Football Association, which will determine if Fletcher will be charged with misconduct for his actions.
De Ligt had been forced to leave the field a second time due to the injury still bleeding, leading to Brentford taking the lead through Ethan Pinnock’s header just before half-time. United manager Erik ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were both cautioned for their protests during the match.
Following the game, Ten Hag argued that De Ligt should have been allowed to remain on the pitch as it was just “dry blood,” expressing confusion over the decision to send him off. He also suggested that the incident served as motivation for United’s eventual comeback victory, stating, “We felt some injustice and used it as fuel.”
Fletcher, who previously held the role of technical director at the club, now faces the prospect of disciplinary action for his actions in the tunnel. Notably, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis recently received a five-match stadium ban for similar misconduct following his team’s defeat to Fulham in September.