Refs chief Keith Hackett has been cleared of any responsibility for the decision to overrule John Terry's red card at Manchester City on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson accused Hackett of being behind the move, which frees the Chelsea skipper to play against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Ferguson, who has been involved in angry exchanges with Hackett before, believes the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board personally stepped in to get Terry off the hook after referee Mark Halsey refused to overturn his original decision.

However, the PGMO insist Hackett was not involved in any about-turn at all.

"All matters of discipline are an issue for the FA - and them alone," said a spokesman for the organisation.