FA wait for ref's report on fracas

The UK Football Association will await referee Steve Bennett's report before deciding whether to take action after the ill-tempered clash between Manchester United and Arsenal.

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was sent off for a second bookable offence after aiming a kick at United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Dutchman jumped out of the way after Vieira fell and was accused of getting the French midfielder sent off.

When he missed an injury-time penalty he was taunted, and appeared to be struck on the head, punched and pushed by a posse of Gunners players as the match ended in acrimony.

However, the FA's director of marketing and communications Paul Barber told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are waiting at the moment for the referee's report and there is nothing I can say on that until the report has been received.

"I saw the game but I am not going to get into a debate ahead of the report being received here at Soho Square and I think that is an important part of this process.

"I'm not going to be drawn on what the sanctions could be - the most important thing at the moment is that we receive the referee's report and my colleagues here have a chance to review that.

"If there is a case to answer then clearly that is a decision which will be taken later in the day and we will communicate that as soon as it's ready."

The FA may also investigate claims of a tunnel row between the disgraced Vieira and van Nistelrooy, which is alleged to have broken out after the match.