Source: Daily_Mail
Underfire ref Clattenburg stands by United star Fletcher's sending off
[LNB] Referee Mark Clattenburg has defended his decision to send off Manchester United midfielder Darren Ferguson on Saturday.[LNB]Clattenburg received heavy criticism from United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for sending the Scotland international off for a second bookable offence after his late trip on Birmingham City striker Cameron Jerome.[LNB]Ferguson slammed the decision as 'soft' and 'ridiculous', leading to suggestions he could find himself in more trouble with the FA.[LNB] No way: Darren Fletcher is giving his marching orders[LNB]Clattenburg said: 'You'll have to ask him about his comments, that's not my business,' said the official. [LNB]'There were two yellow cards for Fletcher. In the first half he was b*******d for dissent, I warned him for dissent. [LNB]'He was cautioned before half-time for a foul, then he cynically tripped the Birmingham player. [LNB]Clattenburg also explained the situation regarding the aftermath over United's equaliser when the linesman flagged for offside against Wayne Rooney despite Scott Dann turning the ball into his own net. [LNB]He added: 'I saw that a player from the home side had scored an own goal, but my assistant say Rooney in an offside position and correctly put the flag up. [LNB]'I went across to talk to him and he told me why he had flagged, but because Rooney did not score and it was an own goal, it must stand. [LNB]'If Rooney had scored then he would have been given offside. As the law stands, for a player to be offside he must be either playing the ball or interfering with play. [LNB]'In this case the defender tried to clear it and scored an own goal. Rooney was two or three yards away from him.' [LNB] Fergie lands himself in hot water again as Manchester United boss rants at refereeGRAHAM POLL: Look again, Fergie! Why Manchester United's referee baiter Darren Fletcher deserved to be sent off Birmingham 1 Man Utd 1: McLeish's men prove they have no fear of top dogs [LNB]
