Sir Alex Ferguson lost his rag and demanded reporter be banned on the spot for asking Ryan Giggs question

Sir Alex Ferguson once demanded that a reporter be banned from a Manchester United press conference after he asked a question about Ryan Giggs.

In 2011, United won the Premier League title under Ferguson, finishing nine points clear of second-placed Chelsea and third-placed Manchester City.

They also reached the final of that season's Champions League, losing 3-1 to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona at Wembley.

Days before the final, United winger Ryan Giggs was named in the House of Commons - using Parliamentary privilege - as the married footballer who had an alleged extra-marital affair with Welsh model and former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Imogen Thomas.

Giggs had obtained an injunction preventing his name from being published by the media.

However, he had been named by many thousands of users on Twitter, and then by a Scottish newspaper.

In a press conference ahead of the Champions League final, a reporter did not mention Giggs' involvement in the case but did ask Ferguson how important the Wales international would be against Barcelona.

Given the situation surrounding Giggs, Ferguson took major issue with the question.

He turned to press officer Karen Shotbolt and asked for the reporter to be banned at his next press conference.

Here is what was said:

Ferguson: "The guy that asked the question about Giggsy... the press conference."

Press officer: "Which one?"

Ferguson: "Him that asked the question... who?"

Press officer: "Oh, yeah. I'll tell you later."

Ferguson: "Is he coming on Friday?"

Press officer: "The guy with the laptop?"

Ferguson: "Aye. Then we'll get him. Ban him on Friday."

The United manager, however, didn't realise that one of the live microphones was still turned on - and footage of the conversation was broadcast on news stations and social media that evening.

When asked by BBC Sport if United had any jurisdiction to ban the reporter from what would be a UEFA press conference, a club spokesperson said 'the answer is probably no'.

Giggs did start the Champions League final and assisted Wayne Rooney's equaliser, but United were dominated at Wembley by a rampant Barcelona side who won 3-1.

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