Manchester United's manager Alex Ferguson gestures during their second leg round of sixteen Champions League soccer match against Olympique Marseille at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, March 15, 2011. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Man United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a five-match ban for improper words against referees.

The Red Devils lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this month. And Ferguson was unhappy with referee Martin Atkinson, claiming he wanted "a fair referee, or a strong referee" after the defeat.

A Football Association tribunal believed Ferguson is guilty of improper conduct for his comments and handed him a three-match touchline ban, which invoked a previous two-match suspended ban for the Scot's criticism about another referee, Alan Wiley.

Ferguson, who was also fined 30,000 pounds, will be barred from the touchline in United' FA Cup semifinal tie against Manchester City as well as four league matches, but he can appeal within 48 hours.