WAYNE Rooney and Sir Alex Ferguson have both escaped punishment from the FA after their Stamford Bridge outbursts - while Darren Fletcher claims United are paying the price for comments made by Arsene Wenger this season.
Neither Rooney nor Ferguson will face misconduct charges for their angry reactions to United's controversial 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday. But Rooney has been warned after being caught on camera, appearing to mouth the words "12th man" as he left the pitch.
Ferguson criticised referee Martin Atkinson for awarding the free kick that led to John Terry's winning goal and leaves the champions five points adrift of league leaders, Chelsea.
It was always unlikely Rooney would be punished for his comments, which were difficult to make out even when replayed.
An FA spokesman said: "Wayne Rooney has been warned as to his future conduct following remarks made yesterday."
Charges
Ferguson faces an FA hearing on Thursday after questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness last month - but there will be no fresh charges after his comments about Atkinson.
Atkinson awarded a free-kick for Fletcher's challenge on Ashley Cole, while Wes Brown appeared to be impeded as Frank Lampard's delivery was headed home by Terry.
Ferguson said afterwards: "Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball. Ashley Cole's never been touched and has jumped up in the air and then (Didier) Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal.
"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous - he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn't even move.
"It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there, it was a bad one."
Fletcher believes United are being punished for Wenger's comments after Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford earlier this season.
Shame
The Frenchman said a penalty won by Rooney was “Old Traffordish,” while referring to an unidentified United player - largely thought to be Fletcher - who “plays only on the pitch to make repeated fouls”.
Fletcher said: “It was clearly not a foul. I knew at the time and I have watched it again. I back-heeled the ball, Cole jumped up in the air and the referee gave a foul.
“I think we are starting to see Mr Wenger’s comments starting to influence referees, which is a shame, really. Now we have to raise our game and ensure these decisions are not affecting the game.”
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james cromley, stockport (10/11/2009 at 09:38)
That was obviously the case against Liverpool with Lucas being allowed to commit 9 fouls without being booked where as Scholes commited one foul and is straight in the book. Likewise against Chelsea it was clear to see that Rooney's comments were accurate.
But having witnessed last night's incident in front of the kop there is definitely a general problem with the overall ability of our top referees.
The time has come. Video evidence is the only solution.
danny, WILMSLOW (10/11/2009 at 09:42)
Referees are now professional and get paid a lot of money for their job.
However yet again tonight in the Liverpool Birmingham game the ref has made a terrible decision awarding Liverpool a penalty which cost Birmingham two valuable points. Bad refs can cost clubs millions.
I find it hard to believe that this is the only big game sport which does not use technology
Refs go on a bout respect ask Darren Fletcher what he has got to respect refs about, I thought there was a campaign on diving Edwardo dived and gets his ban overturned Fletcher does not dive and gets a yellow card.
Tonight for the penalty Ngog dived and yet gets a penalty. Terry fouls Valencia in the box and United get no penalty. What are these moron refs up to?
How can they sleep at night they can cause sleepless nights to thousands of people?
Its time for top managers to campaign for Cameras!
palomablanca, manchester (10/11/2009 at 10:11)
Red Army (10/11/2009 at 10:14)
When the seagulls follow the trawler, N Ireland (10/11/2009 at 10:30)
The Original Blue John, London (10/11/2009 at 10:37)
Gilly, Belgium (10/11/2009 at 10:38)
Mancinitaly, Calabria (10/11/2009 at 10:45)
Walton's penalty decision last night was appauling. He had a clear view. Ngog must be really proud of himself, robbing Birmingham like that. Yes the standard of referring is pretty poor.
Slightly off subject, did anyone tell the rat eaters it was only supposed to be a minutes silence last night. It took them 13 minutes to make a noise.
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (10/11/2009 at 11:15)
tbh the quality of our refs is really pathetic..
we need a new graham poll...
danny, WILMSLOW (10/11/2009 at 11:24)
stevi, france (10/11/2009 at 11:34)
"Spineless FA decline to take action against bad loser, loud mouth, rags, shock!"
...and you started so well, Its so like you to say something with the typical bitters slant, so blinded by jealousy you just can't bring yourself to make an honest statement, why do you bother coming on here?
go back to your own side and continue the communal back slapping that you bitters enjoy while praying you're going to qualify for Europe this season..........nothings changed then :p
original, unlikely.....and definitely one of the sheep!
roykeane, i always wanted to play for city (not!) (10/11/2009 at 11:37)
Nuff said
Duncan, London (10/11/2009 at 11:55)
Or more accurately Ferguson never ranted and the criticisms he incisively pointed out were correct. You won't get that though because the bitterness has sucked out your capacity for logical thought.
PAUL Eagle (10/11/2009 at 11:59)
The only changes seem to be that United are suddenly losing the preferential treatment they have had for so long. Those extra oddly played minutes in the derby seem to be the last gift . You have Fergie to blame for that with his rant about Wiley only a matter of weeks after the laughing and joking they both shared on the touchine after Owens winner.
Fergie should just accept he cant get it all his own way and concentrate on putting a side out to win games. Simple. He sold two matchwinners who were in their prime and didnt replace them.
Duncan, London (10/11/2009 at 12:00)
yorkie-cpm, Huddersfield (10/11/2009 at 12:00)
James and Danny are correct we need to use video evidence. It appears that the FA and FIFA are stuck in a time warp. Fletcher's last 3 bookings have been due to incorrect decisions by referees. They have also been costly by way of points and of course his missing the European Cup Final. With regard to the dive at Liverpool I think it has come to the time when video evidence is called for. A fourth official watching the match replays could easily contact the referee to suggest whether an offence has been committed or not as is the procedure in cricket and rugby with no detriment to the game. If this evidence were to be used then diving and offences in the penalty box akin to the Terry and Drogba incidents would disappear. In addition to the video evidence then a report should be made available to the media from the referees to justify the inane decisions they continue to make. It seems that the FA are quick to jump on managers and players who voice disquiet at decisions made yet very little is made of the referees who continue to make the elementary mistakes.
Private Fraser, Warmington-On-Sea (10/11/2009 at 12:10)
Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (10/11/2009 at 12:13)
After all of Fergie's whining I over the years I can barely recall a time that he has been punished.
Its not a new story is it!
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (10/11/2009 at 12:16)
10/11/2009 at 11:24
C'mon Danny, the all time great was Franny Lee....and he played for?
Bert's Neck Brace, somerset (10/11/2009 at 12:17)
Yorkie-cpm, Huddersfield
10/11/2009 at 12:00
Does that include for the use of prosecuting the drop kick that your player made in the Chelsea game too????
I'm just like Stewie Griffin, Fictional Quahog, Rhode Island (10/11/2009 at 12:18)
10/11/2009 at 09:42
Spot on Danny!!
nhlamont, cheshire (10/11/2009 at 12:32)
Good comments by Danny and also by Paul Eagle. I can see both sides.
Technology may be the answer in most eyes but I don't think we have a solution yet that will preserve the pace and intensity of the game, especially in the PL. It works well in Rugby League/Tennis but those games are more prone to being start/stop. Goal line should be the first step perhaps.
Leave the Ref's to make the odd mistake BUT I would (now they are professional) make them more accountable and insist that they also face the media immediately after the match to explain decisions. Get them in front of the cameras before either Manager. Then allow the aggreived Manager to have an opinion without fear of censure as long as they do not go so far as SAF did with Wiley's fitness and become personal.
Monkey tennis?, yes please (10/11/2009 at 13:11)
Based on my lack of knowledge regarding referee assessment i would like to see, if this doesn't exist, published referee stats.
This could include general control of the players, how they dealt with inflamed situations, number of mistakes (unavoidable & blatant), positional play, how they dealt with assistance from their linesmen (if any), good decisions made etc etc.
They could then put together an over-all score, or a card system. Smaller mistakes earn them a "yellow card" which can't be overturned, amass 5 and they're out for a game or two, Blatant mistakes earn a "red card" and they sit out 3 games or go back to refereeing school, drop a division etc, have their pro status revoked(!) and so on.
I know this is all ridiculously over the top and more like a very sad day dream (!) but surely their mistakes should be judged - mistakes can be costly...
Birmingham might be relegated for the sake of 2 points or 1 goal difference and carson yeung might bail - how costly might that be...
citeh might fall short of a champions league spot by 15-20 points by "refereeing errors" and hughes might get the sack, tevez might take up piracy in the indian ocean and attendances will fall back to 20k - how costly - sorry, how funny might that be...
and chelsea might win the league by 1 point - in which case, i'd be really gutted and see no humour in it at all.
Duncan, London (10/11/2009 at 13:28)
Bill Wirral (10/11/2009 at 13:29)
Wow Danny when you are not nurding it about SAF and others you can really make a great post. Well said.