Manchester United will be fined £25 000 after receiving seven yellow cards in their 1-1 draw away to Chelsea on Sunday, but will face no other disciplinary action.
Sir Alex Ferguson, the champions’ manager, insisted there hadn’t been a bad tackle in the match against their perennial Premier League rivals although, come the final whistle, there was a clash between United’s Rio Ferdinand and Chelsea’s Didier Drogba, which left the forward needing attention.
However, referee Mike Riley’s match report has indicated the official does not believe there are any incidents that require further action, leaving United’s fine by the Football Association as their only punishment.
”It was a competitive game but I did not think there was one bad tackle in it,” said Ferguson of the 1-1 draw.
Riley’s performance may have left Ferguson fuming in a match where United took the lead through Park Ji-Sung before Salomon Kalou equalised 10 minutes from time.
But Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari was more sympathetic.
”If players do not respect him, it should be yellow and red cards. It doesn’t matter who you are — Liverpool or Manchester United, whoever.”
Nevertheless the Blues boss was bemused by Riley blowing for full-time when Drogba was about to receive treatment.
”It was strange that he finished the game at that time but we need to accept his decision.” — Sapa-AFP