FA may contest United ruling
29 May 2008 - 16:04:58
The Football Association is considering whether to appeal against the decision to clear Manchester United management duo Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz of improper conduct.
The United boss and his number two were charged following their criticisms of match official Martin Atkinson and chief referee Keith Hackett after their 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the sixth round of the FA Cup back in March.
Following a hearing on Wednesday, a regulatory commission ruled the pair should be found not guilty of the conduct charge.
However, it has been reported that the FA made an error in the transcript they provided to the hearing.
Queiroz had reportedly been transcribed as saying of referee Atkinson "that is my opinion of this robber today", when he is believed to have said "that is my opinion of his job today".
The FA have denied there was any such error made in their written evidence, but did confirm they were pondering an appeal.
"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.
"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."