UEFA fines Ferguson for claim about rigged Champions League draw

UEFA on Thursday fined Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson 10,000 Swiss francs (8,000 dollars) for suggesting that the Champions League quarter-final draw was fixed.

European football's governing body said in a statement that its disciplinary body had found that Ferguson made "improper statements to the media", after a meeting here.

Ferguson had alleged the quarter-final draw "must have been fixed" so that Spanish teams avoided Italian sides, after Manchester United was drawn against Real Madrid.

The remarks prompted some officials to demand that he be stripped of his knighthood. He later apologised for the comments.

United were knocked out of the Champions League after being thrashed 3-1 in the first leg game in Spain and winning by only 4-3 at Old Trafford in closely contested return leg.

UEFA disciplinary regulations state that member associations, players, officials and members should conduct themselves according to the principle of loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship.

UEFA said the penalty "took into account the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson has already been fined previously for a similar offence when reaching its decision".