Fergie backs down over 'deal' row

Alex Ferguson has managed to dodge a headlong collision with the Football Association over his allegations they ’did a deal’ with Arsenal over the Battle of Old Trafford.

Ferguson was annoyed at the combined nine-match ban handed down to Martin Keown, Lauren and Ray Parlour for their physical assault of Ruud van Nistelrooy after the September 21 clash, which finished 0-0 after the Dutchman missed an injury-time penalty.

The FA vowed to investigate the matter and the possibility of yet another row between United and the game’s governing body was looming until Ferguson agreed a joint statement with his club admitting his allegations were incorrect.

“Manchester United have received assurances from the FA that there is no truth whatsoever in newspaper reports that the FA was involved in some kind of arrangement with Arsenal FC to agree the penalties for a number of Arsenal’s players over the incident at Old Trafford on September 21,” said the statement.

“Both Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson accept such assurances unreservedly and express their regrets to the FA for any comments made which may have appeared to call into question the integrity of the FA’s disciplinary process, or given credence to any suggestion of a lack of impartiality whether in relation to the Arsenal case or on any other occasion.”

The FA responded almost immediately, stating they now regarded the matter as closed.