Ferguson was asked by BBC Radio Sheffield how he would like the Football Association to address the issue and the 45-year-old responded by saying: “The referees are part-time and the standard is appalling, their fitness levels are a disgrace, I’ve had enough of it.
“What can I do? Shoot them, it would be a good idea.”
The former Peterborough and Preston boss moved to resolve the matter on Sunday as he apologised for his remarks.
He said: “When asked after the game what I personally could do to see to raise standards, I said: ‘What can I do? Shoot them?’
“Although clear to everyone in the room that my comment was a tongue-in-cheek response, it is worth clarifying my comments were borne out of frustration and I absolutely do not advocate violence against officials.
“I am sorry for that comment and regret the wording, but as was clear from my post-match comments I felt the referee got some decisions wrong at key moments in the game.