A LONG WAIT...

It was seven long years ago that `Sir` Alex Ferguson began his boycott of the BBC, after they screened a programme critical of Ferguson`s then football agent son, Jason.   For all that time, Ferguson refused to give interviews to the BBC and in the process incurred fines for breaching Premier League rules requiring managers to give post match interviews.  

Estimates of the amount of fines incurred are confusing but, given that the going rate is supposed to be £1,000 a time, it`s reasonable to expect that Ferguson has run up a bill in the region of £100,000.   It`s also a matter of speculation whether the Premier League will actually levy the fines, whether Ferguson will pay them if they do or whether Manchester United will pay them for him.   All of which is now by the by, as Ferguson and the BBC have, following a period of intense negotiation, reached a rapprochement, put the past behind them and, as they say, moved on at the end of the day. 

Throughout those seven years, United`s post match BBC inteviews were given by Carlos Querios or, more recently, by Mike Phelan and they did so with an almost apologetic nervousness, almost as if they were terrified of saying a word out of place.   But at least they were in the main lucid, understandable and not given to wild reaction.   All of which will now change as we will be subjected once more to Ferguson`s inane Glaswegian mumblings, his siege mentality and his disdain for anyone who dares whisper a word of criticism.   His absence from our tv screens was indeed nice while it lasted.

And, as if to present us with a prelude of what is to come, Ferguson is now once again lambasting the Football Association for, as he so eloquently puts it, treating Manchester United like sh**.   His claim is laughably based on the fact that his club has provided more players for the national team than any other club ever has and yet the FA continue to impose fines and touchline bans on him.   Well, if he will insist on publicly criticising match officials, forever being offensive towards the governing body of the sport and generally bringing the game into disreputre, then he really only has himself to blame if the FA actually do treat him in the way he describes.

I recall being in my office at work when the news came through that Margaret Thatcher had finally resigned and I remember feeling a great sense of relief that an oppressively tiresome burden had been lifted from my shoulders.   I just know I`ll feel the same when the day comes that Ferguson finally disappears into the sunset.   Trouble is, it might just be a long wait.