MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Alex Ferguson and his players face disciplinary action after refusing to speak to the media following their controversial Champions League exit to Real Madrid.
European football’s governing body UEFA today said that their disciplinary commission would look into the incidents at a meeting on 21 March.
Ferguson is in trouble for not attending the mandatory press conference after his side’s 2-1 loss to Real at Old Trafford, a game which turned on the second-half dismissal of Nani.
Assistant manager Mike Phelan faced the press instead while United players passed through the mixed zone refusing to talk to reporters.
UEFA, meanwhile, have backed referee Cuneyt Cakir following his decision to show Nani a red card.
The Portuguese winger was sent from the field after catching Real defender Alvaro Arbeloa with a high boot as United led 1-0 on the night and 2-1 on aggregate in the sides’ Champions League last-16 clash.
And, despite the Turkish official coming in for criticism after United went on to lose the tie courtesy of two quick-fire goals from the visitors against the 10-man hosts, UEFA has insisted there are “no issues” with Cakir.
“We have no problem with him,” a spokesman told The Guardian. “There are no issues for us regarding the sending off. We will wait for the official reports of the match delegate and the referee’s observer, as is procedure. If they raise concerns then we will act.
“He remains on our list of officials.”
Cakir, who is set to officiate at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is no stranger to issuing high-profile red cards, having sent off John Terry during last year’s Champions League semi-final meeting between Chelsea and Barcelona.
- additional reporting AFP
