LONDON — The five-game touchline ban and £30,000 fine handed to Sir Alex Ferguson by the Football Association for criticism of referee Martin Atkinson ranks alongside five minutes on the naughty step.

It may be the longest suspension of its kind dished out in Premier League history, but is a non-punishment.

The fine will be paid by United and the so-called ban means Ferguson will sit just a few rows behind the technical area. Big deal.