Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's appeal rejection will bring the players together.
Ferguson also believes the FA have hung ref Lee Mason out to dry over the two-match suspension.
"I don't know if you can use the word fair any longer," said Ferguson, recalling that his use of the word at Chelsea last month landed him with a five-game touchline ban.
"We put an appeal in. The lad has apologised for swearing but I don't think we expected to get a result.
"It will bring us together. It is a plus for us.
"But the one I feel sorry for is Lee Mason. He has put himself in a terrible position.
"He has been put under pressure. There is no doubt about that.
"It is hard to imagine the referee would send a player off for scoring a hat-trick.
"But he has now put himself in the spotlight. If he doesn't send a player off for swearing the question will be, has he got double standards.
"It is a very difficult position the lad is in. I feel for him. I really do. I don't know where his career is going to go now.
"I think he was put under pressure."
