Warnock staggered by United boss Ferguson's let-off for referee rant

So what did the Crystal Palace manager make of the FA's decision to find Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz not guilty of improper conduct after their verbal assault on Martin Atkinson.

"Are you winding me up?" asked Warnock. "This sounds like the type of thing that is about to ruin my summer holiday!"

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Now hear this: Sir Alex rages at fourth official Steve Bennett during the Portsmouth cup tie

Fined £2,000 on May 1 for comments he made about referee Richard Beeby in February, Warnock expected Ferguson and Queiroz to be dealt with in the same way.

"All I wondered was how much Fergie would be fined. I was just thinking to myself that whatever it was it probably wouldn't make much of a dent in his wages!

"But I really cannot believe this. I find it quite unbelievable that he has been found not guilty when you look at what he said and the context of what he said.

"In an age when we are supposed to be encouraging respect towards officials, I find it amazing that I was fined £2,000 for what I said and Fergie has not been punished at all."

Ferguson and Queiroz were cleared by an independent four-man commission on Wednesday, prompting astonishment among referees and even within the FA.

Soho Square released a statement saying they were 'surprised and disappointed' by the verdict and it is understood that was understating their true feelings.

FA officials fear the verdict has sent out exactly the wrong message and will fuel the belief that there is one rule for some managers and another for the rest.

The FA would not reveal the identities of those on the commission, saying only that one had extensive legal qualifications, another was a former player or manager and two were members of the FA's disciplinary committee.

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It is also not yet known whether the FA will take the unprecedented step of appealing against the verdict.

There was a rule change last summer that allows the FA to appeal against a verdict in the same manner in which a player or manager can if a judgment goes against them.

An FA source said: "It is rather like the prosecution having the same right of appeal as a defendant."

A further announcement is expected at the start of next week. There was no official reaction to the verdict from refereeing circles but it is understood that senior match officials feel strongly that the decision has undermined them.

United boss Ferguson is known among referees to be one of the most intimidating managers and there is a feeling now that the Scot and other senior managers have effectively been given carte blanche to do and say whatever they please.

Ferguson himself spoke at the unveiling of a statue in honour of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Dennis Law outside Old Trafford yesterday but did not take questions on Wednesday's ruling.

Former Old Trafford goalscorer Law did speak to reporters, though, and was eager to tell current United winger Cristiano Ronaldo to resist Real Madrid's overtures.

Law said: "He's just won the Champions League and back-to-back titles, so why go anywhere else? He's at the most famous club in the world, who are not done with winning trophies.

"It has happened that players have left United and done OK, but invariably they don't."

United have confirmed that they will take a strong squad to South Africa for a three-match pre-season tour in July.

Ronaldo will not be on the trip as he is playing in Euro 2008 but such as Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs will be involved.