Fergie fumes at ref Bennett
16 Aug 2007 - 08:07:25
Sir Alex Ferguson could be in hot water with the Football Association after claiming referee Steve Bennett "loved the opportunity" to send off Cristiano Ronaldo during Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.
The Premier League champions were held for a second successive time this season on Wednesday night, but the match was overshadowed by Ronaldo's late red card.
The Portugal international appeared to aim a head-butt at Pompey midfielder Richard Hughes, and although Ferguson admitted Ronaldo only had himself to blame, he was highly critical of referee Bennett.
Ronaldo will now miss three Premier League matches starting with Sunday's derby clash with Manchester City.
"I've looked at the replay a few times now and there's nothing conclusive - you can't really see anything," Ferguson told MUTV.
"I believe he was provoked and he fell for it. Steve Bennett sent him off at City (in January 2006) and he will have loved the opportunity to send him off again.
"Cristiano was simply responsible for falling into a trap of intimidation. He was surprised about the decision but really he's only himself to blame.
"It left us with ten men and now we're going to miss him for three games. It's a big blow."
Meanwhile, Ferguson praised Carlos Tevez after the Argentina striker finally made his debut at Fratton Park in place of the injured Wayne Rooney.
"He was excellent and that was one of the good things to come out of the night for us," he added.