LONDON (AFP) Sir Alex Ferguson was told hed got off lightly by the union representing Englands top referees after receiving a four-game touchline ban for an outspoken attack on Alan Wiley. The Manchester United manager, who admitted a Football Association (FA) charge of improper conduct, publicly labelled Wiley as unfit after his Premier League champions were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 3. But on Thursday he was banned for four games, of which two are suspended until the end of the 2010/11 season, fined 20,000 pounds (33,148 dollars) and warned as to his future conduct following his grossly improper and wholly inappropriate comments about Wiley. However, Alan Leighton, national secretary of officials union Prospect, accused the FA of flunking the issue by not imposing a harsher punishment upon the 67-year-old Scot and so undermining their own 'Respect campaign, designed to encourage better behaviour towards referees. From our point of view it is disappointing. The Football Association had a chance to make a point and they flunked it, Leighton said. We dont think this is sending the right message out to other managers. This is not a personal vendetta against Sir Alex but he has a particular stature within the game and if he is seen to be getting off lightly other managers may think what he said was not beyond the pale. Peter Griffiths, chairman of the commission which imposed the ban on Ferguson, said after Thursdays hearing: Each member of the commission recognised Sir Alex Fergusons achievements and stature within the game. The commission considered his admitted remarks, in the context in which they were made, were not just improper but were grossly improper and wholly inappropriate. He should never have said what he did say. Ferguson, who will receive the commissions full findings on Friday, has the right of appeal. But should he accept the ban, Ferguson is now set to be barred from the dug-out for Uniteds Premier League matches later this month at home to Everton and away to Portsmouth The commission said the suspended sanction would be automatically activated should Ferguson be found guilty of a similar charge before the end of the 2010/11 season on top of any sanction imposed for that offence. Ferguson accused Wiley of not being fit enough for a game of that standard and of walking up the pitch for the second goal