Alex Ferguson cannot forget Cüneyt Çakır

Former Manchester United CEO David Gill revealed on Rio Ferdinand's podcast that Sir Alex Ferguson still cannot forget Turkish referee Cüneyt Çakır.

"FERGUSON WAS VERY ANGRY AT HIM"

Stating that Ferguson was extremely angry during the Real Madrid match where Çakır showed a red card to Nani, Gill said, "Do you remember the match in 2013 where we lost to Real Madrid and Nani saw a red card? I knew it would be Ferguson's final season. We didn't send him to the post-match press conference because he might receive a heavy penalty. I sent his assistant Phelan instead. UEFA even fined us."

"HE STILL CAN'T REFEREE"

Gill, who said that Ferguson could not forget Çakır in the following years, stated, "Do you remember that Turkish referee who sent Nani off? One summer, there were Champions League playoffs, it was August. I was in London and my phone rang. It was Alex Ferguson calling. He asked, 'Are you watching the Champions League match?' I think one of the teams was PSV. I said, 'No.' He said, 'Guess who the referee is?' I said, 'How would I know?' Alex then said, 'It's him, and he still can't referee.' He also added something with a sarcastic tone."

WHAT HAPPENED?

On March 5, 2013, while playing for Manchester United, Luis Nani received a red card in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against Real Madrid, which was officiated by Cüneyt Çakır.

While the English side had secured the score needed to advance (1-0), Cüneyt Çakır issued a straight red card to Nani following a challenge in the 56th minute of the match.

After the match, in which the English team was eliminated, Çakır's decision was criticized by many, most notably by legendary Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.

News Source: 12punto