FA decide Fergie has no case to answer
The Football Association have announced they will not be taking any action against Alex Ferguson after Reading fans complained he had made offensive gestures during Saturday’s game at the Madejski Stadium.
It was claimed the Manchester United manager was responding to taunts by the home fans – but he insisted he was celebrating his side’s 2-0 win.
Today the FA said they would not be taking any action after studying video evidence and consulting the fourth official at the game.
The victory over the Royals kept the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League, still edging out Arsenal on goal difference.
Midfielder Owen Hargreaves believes it is now a “three-horse race” for the title.
Liverpool, traditionally one of the ’big four’, dropped more points last night as they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa at Anfield and are now fifth – 14 points behind Hargreaves’ United side.
And the England international now believes Rafael Benitez’s side are out of contention.
He said: “That is a massive gap for them to close. So it looks to me as though it’s going to be a three-horse race between United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
“I can’t see beyond the current top three as title winners and hopefully in May we’ll still be on top and looking down on everyone else.”
The club have insisted today they will press ahead with a minute’s silence to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster at next month’s derby against Manchester City, despite fears that some rival fans may try to disrupt it.
City’s official supporters club had written to United and the Premier League to request that a minute’s applause be held instead prior to the match at Old Trafford on February 10.
However, United’s communications director Phil Townsend told the club’s official website, www.manutd.com: “Manchester United have given great thought to the best way of remembering those who died at Munich. We feel a minute’s silence is the most appropriate way of paying tribute.
“We do not feel that applause is appropriate given that 23 people died.”
The game takes place four days after the 50th anniversary of the disaster, in which seven United players were killed.
Kevin Parker, the City supporters’ club secretary, had said: “Although there is some friendly rivalry between supporters of the two clubs, there is also a great deal of hatred and there will be some City fans who will not want to go along with the recognition of the disaster.
“We plead with United to change the proposed minute’s silence to applause.
“In this way, any idiot who does not share these views (of respect) will be drowned out rather than highlighted.”
