Ferguson escapes FA sanction for linesman rant

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson will not face a disciplinary charge over his criticism of linesman Darren Cann in Sunday’s 3-3 draw at Chelsea.

Ferguson’s joy at seeing his team come back from 3-0 down was tempered to an extent by his anger at Cann’s decision not to flag for a foul by Gary Cahill on Danny Welbeck after the Red Devils striker raced through in the first half.

The United boss thought Chelsea debutant Cahill should have been sent off as he was the last man, and launched an angry tirade against Cann. Ferguson said: “They should’ve had a man sent off... (but there was) nothing, no decision. That linesman (Cann), (has) given a penalty kick against us from 40 yards away last year against Liverpool, this year against Arsenal — and he can’t see that? He is all too happy to flag at Old Trafford for penalty kicks.”