Referee in dock

Andy D’Urso will be asked to explain to the FA why he did not send off Barry Ferguson on Saturday. The Premier League referee cautioned the Scotland international twice in the 3-2 defeat to Southampton but did not show him the red card.

The official will explain the mistake to the FA who will decide on any possible action.

Head of refereeing John Baker said: “The referee will probably be asked for his comment because it is their (the FA’s) responsibility to hear when things are not quite right but we can’t anticipate what will happen.”

“Clearly we have to ask questions why he wasn’t sent off and the role of the fourth official who should have told him what had happened. The first responsibility is the referee’s but there’s a responsibility of the fourth official but it was right at the end of the game and it happened very quickly. That has to be taken into account.”

Ferguson is still expected to serve a one-match suspension for his double booking - despite not getting his marching orders.