• Premier League

Ferguson slams FA over Gerrard let-off

ESPN staff
March 19, 2010
Steven Gerrard and Michael Brown clashed at Anfield on Monday © Getty Images
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Sir Alex Ferguson has begun the war of words ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown with Liverpool by accusing the Football Association's disciplinary panel of being "dysfunctional'' after Steven Gerrard escaped censure for the second time in a matter of weeks.

It comes after Rio Ferdinand was forced to accept a three-match FA ban for throwing an arm at Hull City striker Craig Fagan off the ball. Ferdinand was then handed an extra ban for what was deemed to be a "frivolous'' appeal over.

But Gerrard has not been so unfortunate. First, he appeared to flick a V-sign in the direction of referee Andre Marriner as Liverpool lost at Wigan. And then the England international appeared to launch an elbow in the direction of Portsmouth's Michael Brown on Monday.

Gerrard will face no further action over either incident. Sir Alex believes it smacks of double standard, two players being treated completely differently for similar incidents.

Sir Alex said: "I didn't expect anything to happen to Steven Gerrard. It (the disciplinary panel) is a dysfunctional unit. I don't know what they are doing.''

Ferguson had already highlighted what he felt was a similar incident involving Javier Mascherano at Leeds during a Carling Cup tie earlier in the campaign.

"There is no consistency for a start and I didn't expect to get any,'' continued Ferguson. "I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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