Fergie faces FA's wrath

Updated 13.48 Sun Mar 09 2008

Keywords: Sir alex Ferguson, FA Cup, Manchester United

The Football Association is to review Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's comments about referee Martin Atkinson after his side's 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

Ferguson was also highly critical of referees boss Keith Hackett for his apparent lack of action in dealing with under-performing officials.

Ferguson was also highly critical of referees boss Keith Hackett for his apparent lack of action in dealing with under-performing officials

United were aggrieved that Atkinson failed to give a penalty for Sylvain Distin's challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.

He said: "Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week. He (Hackett) is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.

"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."

A spokesman for the FA said: "We are aware of the comments and will be giving them consideration."

Should any action be taken against Ferguson and he is found guilty he would be fined rather receive a touchline ban.