THE PREMIER League plans to introduce rules that would require managers and players to talk to the press after every match or face a fine, as part of a drive to improve relations with the media.

The new rules will force Alex Ferguson, who has already landed Manchester United with a substantial fine for refusing to talk to the BBC this season, to reverse his refusal to talk to journalists after every match or face further penalties from next season.

In recent years Ferguson has habitually failed to talk to the press after Premier League matches in contrast to almost every other manager. Instead he gives an interview to MUTV, the club’s TV channel, and the Premier League’s overseas broadcasting outlet.

While almost every other club conducts post-match interviews already, the new rules, if approved, would seek to introduce “minimum standards” that would prevent managers arbitrarily cancelling press conferences at the last minute.

Yesterday Ferguson cancelled a pre-match press conference before Monday’s Arsenal match in protest at the reporting of comments in the run-up to the Manchester derby.

The new rules, which build on a clause introduced this season that requires managers to conduct post-match interviews with broadcasting partners, are likely to be put before the 20 clubs next June.

Ferguson has repeatedly used his influence at Manchester United to punish particular media outlets that have displeased him.

He has periodically imposed bans on virtually every British media outlet at one time or another during his 24-year tenure at Manchester United but none has been nearly as long-standing as his refusal to speak to the BBC which he has maintained since 2004 and is now in breach of new rules introduced this season.

The row dates back to a BBC3 documentary that made allegations about his son, Jason, then an agent.

Guardian Service