Sir Alex Ferguson ends his feud with BBC after seven-year boycott

By JAMES WHITE FOR MAILONLINE
Updated:

Sir Alex Ferguson has finally ended his seven-year feud with the BBC after meeting with the corporation's director general.

A joint statement from Manchester United and the BBC revealed that the veteran manager has ended his boycott against the corporation.

That means he will now be back on its flagship programmes - most notably Match of the Day - for interviews.

All over: Sir Alex Ferguson will speak to the BBC again

All over: Sir Alex Ferguson will speak to the BBC again

The move comes after a key meeting with BBC director general Mark Thompson to find a way to end the dispute.

He has not co-operated with the BBC since their May 2004 Panorama documentary on the transfer dealings of his former agent son Jason.

The statement read: 'Sir Alex Ferguson and the BBC have decided to put behind them the difficulties which led to Sir Alex feeling unable to appear on BBC programmes.

'This follows a meeting between Sir Alex and the BBC’s director general, Mark Thompson, and BBC North director Peter Salmon, and the issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of both parties.

Centre of attention: Ferguson is listened to by the masses

Centre of attention: Ferguson is listened to by the masses

'Sir Alex will now make himself available to the BBC for Match of the Day, Radio 5 Live and other outlets, as agreed. No further comment will be made by either party on this issue.'

The 2004 documentary led to Ferguson frequently breaching the Premier League’s media regulations requiring him to speak to TV rights holders.

It is not yet known whether Thompson delivered the personal apology Ferguson wanted. The BBC had always insisted he wouldn't receive one.

The low-key BBC programme at the heart of the dispute concentrated on Jason’s dealings as an agent with United but revealed little that wasn’t in the public domain. Ferguson has never taken legal action over the contents.

Since 2004, the only interviews Ferguson has given to the BBC have been for tributes to figures such as Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Bobby Robson and Ryan Giggs.

BBC

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