FA investigates Fergie comments

THE English FA is investigating claims by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson suggesting that the ruling body made a deal with Arsenal over disciplinary measures.

"We are looking very closely at the comments made by Alex Ferguson," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said yesterday.

"No deals have been cut. We believe our disciplinary procedures are of the highest integrity."

The FA fined Arsenal and several of their players a total of stg£275,000 (€400,000) on Thursday for their involvement in a fracas during and after a game against United at Old Trafford in September.

Four Arsenal players Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Lauren received suspensions totalling nine games but league leaders Arsenal suffered no loss of points.

Ferguson suggested on Friday that Arsenal had struck a deal to minimise their punishment.

"I read in the papers this morning that they (Arsenal) did a deal (with the FA) before they went in there and I think that was the suspicion right through the country, that there was a deal been done," he said.

United players Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were also charged by the FA for their part in the disorder, which followed a last-gasp penalty miss by United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 0-0 draw on September 21. The cases of the United players have still to be heard.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the punishment had been severe but added that even if the players were hanged in London's Hyde Park it would not be enough for some of the club's critics.

United defender Rio Ferdinand has also been charged with misconduct by the FA for missing a drugs test.

Ferguson was handed a two-match ban and a stg£10,000 fine last month for abusing a match official during a premier league game at Newcastle United on August 23.

Meanwhile Ferguson believes resting Roy Keane will help to get the best out of him over the season.

The veteran midfielder sat out United's last two games before coming off the bench at home to Portsmouth to score the third and seal victory.

Diego Forlan and Cristiano Ronaldo had netted earlier to contribute to a comfortable 3-0 win for the Premiership champions.

"It is a case of picking Roy Keane's games," said Ferguson.

"There is a lot of football to be played, it is a particularly hectic time with European football and the Premier League.

"So I rested him for the last few games because we have got Rangers on Tuesday and then Liverpool away next Sunday."

With Arsenal and Chelsea also both winning, it continues to be tight at the top of the Premiership and Ferguson believes this is how it will continue.

"The way the league is shaping up we are going to have to have consistency. Chelsea won, Arsenal won and we also won everyone is waiting for someone to slip-up," he added.