THE BBC has resigned itself to losing in its longtime stand-off with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over the Scotsman’s refusal to give the broadcaster post-match interviews, in spite of a contractual obligation.

Ferguson has refused to speak to the BBC since it aired a Panorama documentary in May 2004 revealing transfer dealings made by Ferguson and his son, Jason, a football agent.

But despite the Premier League introducing new stricter rules for this season where managers incur escalating fines if they do not speak to all licenced broadcasters this year – rules that were approved by every member of the league, including United – Ferguson has maintained his boycott, instead sending his assistant Mike Phelan to speak to the BBC.

Now, however, the controller of BBC’s Radio 5 Live, the radio station that carries live coverage of Premier League matches, has admitted he cannot see Ferguson changing his stance after six years.

Adrian Van Klaveren said: “I hope it does but I can’t see it happening. I have made sure that efforts are taking place [to persuade Ferguson] through people who know him.”

The Premier League are now to discuss the ongoing boycott at its board meeting next month, but with Ferguson seemingly happy to shoulder the fines, there seems to be little the BBC can do to get Ferguson to speak to them.