United boss Ferguson wades in to referees' chief over two-footed tackles

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Manchester United manager expressed his irritation over the trend last week.

Out of order: Gunnarsson dives into his challenge on Mullins

In calling for referees to dismiss players and then rescind the red cards if necessary rather than use the 'escape clause' of a yellow card, Ferguson felt he was helping to protect players' safety.

Over the Christmas period, it appeared his words were being heeded with Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho and Reading midfielder Brynjar Gunnarsson both sent off for two-footed challenges on Boxing Day.

Yet, the Professional Game Match Officials Board subsequently issued a statement saying there had been no clampdown or fresh directive, insisting the rules in force at the start of the season remained that way.

The stance has confused Ferguson, who feels the PGMOB, of whom Hackett is general manager, should be more pro-active in addressing an issue which has become a blight on the game.

"The referees department have issued a statement saying referees have not been given directives," observed the United boss.

"That worries me because there should have been.

"But, even so, there seems to be an emphasis on protecting the player.

"It is going to take a few weeks for it to sink in that this type of thing is not going to be allowed. Hopefully, it will improve our game and protect the players."

Ferguson did welcome Gunnarsson's admission that his tackle had been poor, even though he did not actually catch West Ham's Hayden Mullins.

"It is refreshing the player from Reading said he was not happy with his challenge and that when he saw it again on video that he could understand why the referee took the action he did," said Ferguson.

"It was a bad lunge. But I have seen players get off with far worse than that."