Sir Alex fined and given two-match touchline ban, Drogba handed three-match ban

Sir Alex fined and given two-match touchline ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been given a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine by the Football Association, following his row with referee Mike Dean this month.

Sir Alex Ferguson: In hot water against Hull

The 66-year-old was fuming that Dean did not send off Hull defender Andy Turner for a foul on Michael Carrick during United's 4-3 Premier League win at Old Trafford.

That Dean then awarded Hull a penalty for an innocuous Rio Ferdinand challenge on Bernard Mendy only infuriated the Scot even more.

The Scot's suspension starts on December 2 and means he will not be pitchside for the Carling Cup match against Blackburn the following day.

He will also miss out on a touchline reunion with former United captain Roy Keane, who brings his Sunderland side to Old Trafford for a Premier League match on December 6.

Ferguson had claimed the FA were "dying'' to hit him with his latest improper conduct charge.

At a meeting at the City of Manchester Stadium, the FA's Regulatory Commission took into account Ferguson's admission of the charge and his previous disciplinary record.

Ferguson served a two-match ban last term for a finger-jabbing rant at referee Mark Clattenburg following a defeat at Bolton.

Drogba handed three-match ban for coin throwing

Didier Drogba has been given a three-match ban by the Football Association after the Chelsea striker admitted a charge of violent conduct following the Carling Cup match against Burnley last week.

Drogba gives it back to the Burnley fans

The Ivory Coast international threw an object, believed to be a coin, back into the visiting fans after celebrating Chelsea's opener at Stamford Bridge.

It means the striker will miss the forthcoming games against Newcastle United, Arsenal and Bolton though he will be eligible to face Bordeaux in the Champions League on November 26 as the ban only covers domestic football.

Drogba has been given the same treatment as Liverpool defender Jamie Carrager who was handed the mandatory three-game ban for throwing a coin in an FA Cup tie at Arsenal in 2002.

The form of French striker Nicolas Anelka coupled with Drogba's current lack of fitness and form - his only goal this season came in the game against Burnley - means Chelsea are unlikely to be hit hard by the ruling

The 30-year-old admitted the charge earlier this week and apologised to the Burnley fans after the incident.

The Ivory Coast striker could now be fined two weeks' wages by the club, believed to be around £180,000, after Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck confirmed Drogba knew the club were "not happy''.

"Didier did something he should not have done,'' said Buck. "However, you have to look at the fans. I believe the FA will take a look and find the culprits.

"To his credit, Didier apologised publicly almost immediately after the game.''

An FA statement read: "At a regulatory commission today, Chelsea forward Didier Drogba was given a three match suspension.

"Drogba admitted a charge of violent conduct. The charge related to Drogba throwing a missile into the away section of the crowd after scoring during the League Cup match against Burnley at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 12 November.

"Drogba will serve the suspension with immediate effect.''

Hammersmith and Fulham Police continue to liaise with the FA and Chelsea in a bid to track down the fan who initially threw the coin at the striker.

Police are studying CCTV footage from inside Stamford Bridge as well as reviewing Sky TV's coverage of the game. They are also in contact with Lancashire Police but so far no arrests have been made.

Burnley fans were handed leaflets before Saturday's game at Queens Park Rangers asking for any witnesses to come forward.

Moyes fined for dismissal at Stoke

Everton manager David Moyes has been fined £5,000 by the Football Association after being found guilty of improper conduct.

Referee Alan Wiley sent Moyes to the stands during Everton's 3-2 Barclays Premier League win at Stoke City in September, after the Toffees manager criticised Wiley for not awarding his side a penalty.

An FA statement read: "At a regulatory commission hearing today, Everton manager David Moyes was fined £5,000 and warned as to his future conduct.

"Moyes admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his touchline behaviour during Everton's match against Stoke City on 14 September.

"In reaching its decision, the commission said that it was taking into account Moyes' good disciplinary record, his admission of the charge and his apology.''

Rovers and United solve Carling Cup conundrum

A rare night of football will take place in Manchester next month - with both City and United at home on the same night.

United's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Blackburn has been put back 24 hours to Wednesday, December 3 - with City taking on Paris St Germain in the UEFA Cup on the same night.

United and Blackburn were due to play the previous night - but both teams were keen to postpone for 24 hours, even though local police prefer both their major clubs not to play at the same time.

United tackle City at Eastlands on November 30, with Blackburn facing the more geographically challenging trip to Portsmouth on the same day.

However, with United due to play a Champions League tie against Aalborg the following week before flying to Japan for the World Club Cup, there was little opportunity for the Carling Cup tie to be played at a later date as the semi-finals should take place at the beginning on January.

However, following discussions with Greater Manchester Police, the Football League have confirmed the Carling Cup clash at Old Trafford will now take place on December 3.