FA to investigate Drogba 'punch' claim

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The Chelsea striker was sent off in the final in May for slapping the Manchester United defender - and in his book said he now wishes he had punched Vidic.

An FA spokesman said: "We are aware of the comments and will be examining them in their proper context."

It is understood the FA are not viewing it in the same light as Roy Keane's book, in which the former United skipper said he had deliberately injured Alf Inge Haaland.

Back in 2002, Keane was banned for five games and fined £150,000 by the FA but similar disciplinary action is unlikely to be taken against Drogba - who may simply be warned that his comments are unwelcome.

Drogba wrote: "I have seen the match on video and I believe I should not have been sent off with three minutes to go.

"If I had punched him, I would have understood. Now I wish I had."

In Keane's case, his autobiography said his challenge on Haaland was an act of revenge for the Norwegian accusing him of feigning injury three years before when he had actually ruptured his cruciate knee ligament.

Keane wrote: "I'd waited almost 180 minutes for Alfie, three years if you looked at it another way. I'd waited long enough. I hit him hard. The ball was there (I think). Take that."