Fergie gives FA hairdryer treatment

ALEX FERGUSON and the FA are in conflict again — this time over the new disciplinary procedures launched during the summer.

The Manchester United manager is at loggerheads once more after FA officials reacted with irritation to his demand for ‘clarification’ over the regulations inspired by former chief executive Mark Palios.

Ferguson felt there was a case for a charge to be brought against Arsenal’s Robin van Persie after his tangle with Kieran Richardson during Wednesday night’s Carling Cup tie at Old Trafford and called for FA intervention.

His certainty was reinforced by the knowledge that, while van Persie did not make contact with Richardson, Aston Villa’s Lee Hendrie was sent off at Manchester City last weekend for aiming a headbutt at Danny Mills which also did not connect.

Yet after viewing TV evidence and reading referee Mark Halsey’s report, the FA declared there would be no punishment for van Persie.

“We need clarification over their disciplinary process,” said the Red Devils boss.

“There is a lot of puzzlement about how the system works, how it is conducted and how they reach their conclusions. All managers are confused about the situation, especially when you think Lee Hendrie was given a three-match ban for intent. Managers just don’t know how the procedures are working.”

Ferguson’s view was backed up by Villa boss David O’Leary, who launched his own tirade at the FA, who also slapped an improper conduct charge on Hendrie, which could lead to two three-match suspensions.

“I find it mind-boggling when I see the van Persie incident which gets nothing and Lee Hendrie gets the book thrown at him,” said O’Leary.

But, while O’Leary was among the few Premier League bosses who attended one of two Q&A sessions in late July in conjunction with the League Managers’ Association to discuss the new disciplinary system, Ferguson was not.

“The FA took all possible steps to ensure all participants in the game were fully informed as to how the disciplinary system would work,” said the FA in a statement.

The FA said they were powerless to intervene over the van Persie incident because Halsey confirmed he had ‘dealt with it appropriately’.

It is the latest in a series of disputes between Ferguson and the FA, the most recent coming six weeks ago after the Premiership clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford. Ferguson was disgruntled with the FA for their failure to act over Arsenal’s conduct.

United compiled a dossier of incidents during and after the match, including tackles by Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry they deemed to be reckless.

But apart from bringing a charge against Arsene Wenger for comments about Ruud van Nistelrooy, the only action taken was against United’s Dutch striker for a tackle on Ashley Cole that cost him a three-match ban.