Arsenal got away with murder, says Ferguson
Patrick Vieira received a one-game suspension after he was sent off for kicking out at Ruud van Nistelrooy during the 0-0 draw.
Lauren was also banned for four matches, Martin Keown for three and Ray Parlour for one as a result of the ugly scenes at the end of the game as Arsenal players taunted van Nistelrooy for missing a penalty.
However, Ferguson feels there should have been far stiffer penalties handed out for what he deemed “the worst thing I’ve seen in this sport”.
As Arsene Wenger’s side prepare to visit Old Trafford again on Sunday, Ferguson said: “Arsenal got off scot-free really, they got away with murder. The disciplinary treatment was ridiculous when you think that Eric Cantona got nine months for attacking a supporter.
“All right, that was a serious offence and no one would disagree that something had to be done, but United took their own action in suspending him for four months. I don’t think Arsenal would suspend one of their own players for four months no matter what he had done.
“The FA said what Eric did set a terrible example to young people. Given that he did it in a night match that wasn’t on television, while United v Arsenal kicked off at lunchtime with probably about 10 million kids watching live on TV, I wonder what was really the worst example.
“What Arsenal players did that day was the worst thing I’ve seen in this sport. No wonder they were so delighted at the verdicts.
“They conveniently forget things, that mob. They seemed to think Patrick Vieira was badly done-by, yet he’s the captain of Arsenal and he’s jeopardised his team by trying to kick Ruud van Nistelrooy.
“OK he missed, but he still tried. There was no criticism of that, even though he was the one sent off.”
Wenger, however, tried to cool things down by saying: “Apart from last year’s incident, usually games between Manchester United and Arsenal are very good football games.”
Blasted Ferguson: “I see Robert Pires was in the papers saying all the trouble they caused here last season was the best thing that happened to them in terms of getting off with light suspensions.
“That helped them win the League, and he’s bloody right. I think Pires was meaning they got off scot-free last season - and they did.
“Arsenal got away with murder and the sentence and discipline against them was absolutely ridiculous.
“I still can’t understand the psyche of some of their people that day, especially people like Keown. I think they seemed to feel Vieira was badly done by and that triggered things.
“But as captain of Arsenal he jeopardised his team that day by trying to kick Ruud - let’s not forget he tried to kick him even if that mob conveniently forget a few things.
“He missed, and we know he missed, but that’s unfortunate for them. But the fact is he tried to kick Ruud and Ruud didn’t go down, he just jumped out of the way.”
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