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Fergie escapes with a warning

Sir Alex Ferguson called Howard Webb the Premier League's 'best referee' © Getty Images

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has escaped with a warning about his future conduct from the Football Association, after comments he made about referee Howard Webb.

Ferguson was charged after contravening FA rule E3 - which forbids discussing referees in the build-up to matches, whether positively or negatively - ahead of the crucial Premier League game against Chelsea at Old Trafford, which Webb officiated.

After study by the FA's Regulatory Commission, the commission chairman decided a warning was sufficient - but advised all managers to take note of the rule for future reference.

"This rule was brought in at the start of the 2009/10 season and this was reiterated formally to all clubs again on 21 October 2010," an FA statement said. "This is a clear breach of the rule and it is the first time such a matter has been placed in front of a Commission.

"As a result of this charge the Commission were aware of other occasions where pre-match comments were made by other Managers.

"In this case, it was considered to be a minor breach, but a breach nevertheless, and it should be taken as a warning to all managers in the future that any such breach, even positive comments, are likely to result in a charge by The FA."

Ferguson was complimentary about Webb ahead of the game with Chelsea:

"We are getting the best referee, there is no doubt about that," Ferguson said two days prior to the Sunday game, which United won 2-1. But (getting a bad decision) is definitely our big fear.

"We have the players to do it all right. We just hope it's our turn for a little bit of luck."

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