Ex-ref lives out rage-filled retirement 

Jeff Winter, retired ref, professional media whore and the only man with facial hair bad enough to rival Craig David, happily waded into the argument between Sir Alex Ferguson and Alan Wiley last month, calling the United manager a ‘bully and a coward’ for deeming Wiley to be out of shape after his side’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland.

However, it’s since been brought to The Spoiler’s attention Winter may not be in the best position to be taking the moral high ground on being magnanimous. Jeff’s official website “Jeff Winter Entertainment & Media” (no, really) is an amazing shrine to egotism, the highlight of which has to be the ‘Reader’s Letters‘ section.

A selection of Winter’s finest correspondence after the jump …

Union chief calls for over-the-top punishment

In March 2008, Alex Ferguson was quoted as saying “the haranguing of referees is ridiculous,” a comment that sat well with the FA’s Respect campaign. The Manchester Utd manager seemed to forget this sentiment when he accused Alan Wiley of being “unfit” to officiate on Saturday, and could now be kicked out of the beautiful game. Possibly. Alan Leighton, the national secretary of Professionals’ trade union Prospect, told BBC Radio 5 Live:

“I think there has to be some recognition that this is a serious allegation that needs to be properly dealt with and punished severely.

“There are issues around suspension from the job that would be new territory that hasn’t happened before, but I think the FA has to grab the nettle on this one.

United Gaffer’s nonsense comments come back to haunt him

March 2008: Alex Ferguson is the first to support the FA’s Respect Campaign following Ashley Cole’s controversial booking at White Hart Lane:

“Haranguing referees is ridiculous. Since the Andy D’Urso incident some years ago, we have not done anything like that. Respect for referees is absolutely correct.”

April 2008: Manchester Utd players ‘harangue’ referee Alan Wiley for awarding Chelsea a perfectly legitimate penalty, and eight of Fergie’s men face FA Disciplinary charges for abusing fourth official Mike Riley in the tunnel.