Source: REUTERS/TONY O BRIEN
[Saba Sports News] Recently, the FA announced that an independent appeal committee has reduced the ban on former Manchester United assistant coach Darren Fletcher from 3 matches to 2 matches, and the fine from £7,500 to £6,000. Previously, the FA had accused Fletcher of misconduct during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford on Saturday, October 19. Fletcher subsequently appealed against the decision. The FA has now announced that the independent appeal committee has granted Fletcher’s appeal. It is reported that Fletcher admitted to his misconduct but argued that he only directed his comments at the fourth official and the referee, denying any abusive behavior. Fletcher claimed his remarks were “a criticism of the medical treatment of Matthijs de Ligt and a critique of a similar incident in a previous home match, where a Manchester United player was wrongly shown a red card.” The independent appeal committee has reduced Fletcher’s punishment from a 3-match ban to a 2-match ban, and the fine from £7,500 to £6,000. The written reasoning will be published in due course.