Manchester United first-team coach Darren Fletcher has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) following an altercation with officials during United’s 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19. Fletcher is accused of behaving in an “improper and/or confrontational manner” and allegedly using “abusive and/or insulting words” towards the match officials.
The incident unfolded after Brentford’s opening goal by Ethan Pinnock, which came under controversial circumstances. United’s defender Matthijs de Ligt was forced to temporarily leave the pitch multiple times to address a head injury, leaving United frustrated by the officiating decisions. Head coach Erik ten Hag and assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy received yellow cards for their protests, while Fletcher confronted officials in the tunnel at half-time.
Fletcher, who has a storied career with Manchester United, accumulating 342 appearances as a player, has until October 29 to respond to the charge.
This case adds to a series of recent misconduct charges across the Premier League. Wolves’ sporting director Matt Hobbs was charged on Thursday after allegedly confronting officials following their 2-1 loss to Manchester City. Wolves manager Gary O’Neil was also asked to clarify comments hinting at officiating bias favoring the Premier League’s top clubs. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has been handed a five-match stadium ban for spitting near officials after his team’s defeat to Fulham on September 28.
Fletcher, who was appointed United’s technical director in 2021 and later joined Erik ten Hag’s coaching team, now faces scrutiny as the FA reviews his conduct amid increasing calls for improved behavior towards match officials across all levels.
