• Premier League

Ferguson in the clear after ref rant

ESPN staff
December 27, 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson has avoided disciplinary action after he confronted officials during Manchester United's dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The United boss was furious when referee Mike Dean overruled assistant Jake Collin and awarded Newcastle's second goal - Collin had flagged Papiss Cisse offside when Jonny Evans turned the ball into his own net, but Dean ruled the striker had not been interfering with play.

Ferguson confronted Dean as the referee returned to the field for the second half and then vented his frustrations at fourth official Neil Swarbrick and then Collin.

However, the FA has confirmed it received no complaint from Dean in his post-match report, meaning Ferguson is in the clear.

United moved seven points clear of rivals Manchester City with a dramatic late win at Old Trafford, but Ferguson was still upset that Dean awarded the goal.

"Mike Dean doesn't have the benefit of what I have got in terms of video replay," Ferguson said. "It's clear. The linesman correctly whistled for offside because [Cisse] was in an offside position and he pulled Jonny Evans' arm. If that's not interference then what is? And that was the point I was making to Mike Dean.

"He said it was an own-goal, so it didn't matter that the player was offside but when you see the video replay he is certainly interfering with the play. The referee changed the linesman's mind. If you see it again, and the referee can't see it, that's where his linesman has to come into it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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