Scholes sweats on referee's report

Fulham and Paul Scholes were today waiting to learn whether the Football Association will take disciplinary action against them after separate incidents.

Scholes was seen to push Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva in the face during last night’s 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford and may now face an investigation by the video advisory panel.

The FA were, however, waiting to hear whether referee Paul Durkin, who did not book Scholes, witnessed the incident.

The FA’s website, www.theFA.com , confirmed: “Following an incident involving Paul Scholes and Doriva in last night’s match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough, the FA will await the referee’s report to ascertain whether or not Paul Durkin saw the incident.”

If Durkin did see the incident but deliberately took no action, then Scholes is in the clear. If he missed it, then the FA will almost certainly investigate and a suspension could add to United’s current problems.

The governing body are, meanwhile, also concerned about another incident last night, this time at Loftus Road when a bottle was thrown onto the pitch.

Once again, the FA were awaiting the official report from referee Barry Knight before coming to any conclusions, although it again seems likely that they will investigate.

“Following a bottle being thrown onto the pitch during the Premier League match between Fulham and Aston Villa at Loftus Road last night, we can confirm the FA are aware of the incident and the seriousness of its nature,” the FA website added.

“We will study the referee’s report before making any further comment at this stage.”

Fulham were today reported to have identified the alleged culprit following a promise to ban him for life from attending a home match.

This could be enough to pre-empt official censure, although the FA may consider Fulham should be held responsible for the actions of their supporters.

Fulham boss Chris Coleman said: “What sort of coward throws a bottle onto the field? It’s a disgrace. I hope that they got whoever it was and threw him out.

“Anyone who comes to Fulham will tell you it’s nice and friendly. We haven’t got a bad crowd and I don’t know who that idiot was, but I hope they find him.”