Reuters

FA may appeal United verdict

Updated 13.42 Thu May 29 2008

Keywords: carlos queiroz, sir alex ferguson, fa, football association, football, premier league, sport

The Football Association could appeal against an independent commission's verdict clearing Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Carlos Queiroz of improper conduct.

They were charged over comments made after United's FA Cup tie against Portsmouth in March.

"The fact that the commission found the charge was not proved does not mean that the FA made any errors in putting the case together" - FA spokesman

Ferguson's charge concerned comments about referee Martin Atkinson and referees' chief Keith Hackett and Queiroz's charge related to comments about Atkinson. The charges were found to be 'not proved'.

The FA have confirmed they can appeal and they denied suggestions a transcript error led to the commission finding the pair not guilty.

An FA spokesman said: "At any disciplinary hearing the FA, as the prosecutor, argues its case, as does the defence. The fact that the commission found the charge was not proved does not mean that the FA made any errors in putting the case together.

"The commission has to make a decision based on the applicable standards of proof, which is balance of probability."