LONDON (AP) -Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson accepted a charge of improper conduct Tuesday and could face a touchline ban following his criticism of referee Alan Wiley.

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After his team drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Oct. 3, Ferguson said Wiley was not fit enough to handle the game. Although he later apologized, the Football Association charged him with misconduct.

The FA said Tuesday that Ferguson had accepted the charge and requested a personal hearing. No date has yet been set.

Ferguson could be fined, but the referees' union has called for him to be handed a ban from the bench. Ferguson has received bans in the past for criticizing referees Mark Clattenburg and Mike Dean.

After the draw with Sunderland, in which an own goal deep into injury time by Anton Ferdinand salvaged a point for United, Ferguson criticized Wiley in post-game interviews.

``He just wasn't fit enough for a game of that standard,'' Ferguson said. ``The fitness of the players, the pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He took 30 seconds to book a player, I think he's taking a rest writing down names on his card.''