FA ponder United appeal

Ferguson and Queiroz may still face action

Last updated: 29th May 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA ponder United appeal

Ferguson and Queiroz: Found not guilty

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The Football Association is considering whether to appeal against the decision to clear Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz of improper conduct.

The Manchester United manager and his assistant were charged over their criticism of referee Martin Atkinson and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) general manager Keith Hackett after the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

They were found not guilty by an independent commission but reports later emerged that the main reason for them escaping action was a transcription error by the FA.

Queiroz had been transcribed as saying of Atkinson "that is my opinion of this robber today", when in fact he is believed to have said, "that is my opinion of his job today."

An FA spokesman has refuted suggestions that there was any such error, and confirmed that an appeal may be lodged.

However, the governing body will await receipt of the full judgement and 'written reasons' before considering further action.

"The charges were brought on more than just the issue of the word 'robber'," said an FA spokesman.

"At any disciplinary hearing the FA, as the prosecutor, argues its case, as does the defence.

Probability

"The fact that the commission found the charge was not proved does not mean that the FA made any errors in putting the case together.

"The commission has to make a decision based on the applicable standards of proof, which is balance of probability."

United had a claim for a penalty turned down in the clash with Pompey, before Atkinson awarded Harry Redknapp's side a spot-kick and sent off goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak after he had brought down Milan Baros.

Ferguson was furious after the game, saying: "Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week.

"He [Hackett] is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.

"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."