Fergie ‘deal’ comments under scrutiny

LONDON: The English Football Association (FA) are investigating comments by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson suggesting that the ruling body made a deal with Arsenal over disciplinary measures.

“We are looking very closely at the comments made by Alex Ferguson,” FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said yesterday. “No deals have been cut. We believe our disciplinary procedures are of the highest integrity.” The FA fined Arsenal and several of their players a total of ?275,000 (US $465,800) on Thursday for their involvement in a fracas during and after a match against United at Old Trafford in September. Four Arsenal players — Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Lauren — received suspensions totalling nine matches but league leaders Arsenal suffered no loss of points. Ferguson suggested on Friday that Arsenal had struck a deal to minimise their punishment. “I read in the papers this morning that they (Arsenal) did a deal had been (with the FA) before they went in there and I think that was the suspicion right through the country, that  a deal been done,” he said.

United players Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo were also charged by the FA for their part in the disorder, which followed a last-gasp penalty miss by United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the 0-0 draw on September 21. The cases of the United players have still to be heard. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said the punishment had been severe but added that even if the players were hanged in London’s Hyde Park it would not be enough for some of the club’s critics. United defender Rio Ferdinand has also been charged with misconduct by the FA for missing a drugs test. Ferguson was handed a two-match ban and ?10,000 (US $16,730) fine last month for abusing a match official during a Premier League match at Newcastle United on August 23.