Ferguson to fight FA charge within 24 hours

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will contest his FA charge within the next 24 hours.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will contest his FA charge within the next 24 hours.

The United boss is responding to a misconduct charge that followed his side's 2-1 win over Newcastle last month.

Ferguson received an extension to his appeal deadline following the departure of former chief executive Peter Kenyon last week.

The Scot is facing a touchline ban or a heavy fine after he was sent to the stand by referee Uriah Rennie following a heated exchange with fourth official Jeff Winter.

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Ferguson was furious with Rennie for failing to dismiss Republic of Ireland international Andy O'Brien for a first-half foul on Ryan Giggs.

While the weight of television evidence suggests Ferguson will be hard pressed to plead his innocence, he can point to a previously unblemished record during his 17-year reign as United boss, and that is expected to count in his favour when an eventual hearing date is set.