Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been warned he could face legal action from ref Alan Wiley.
Mel Goldberg, chairman of the British Association for Sport and Law, says Wiley has a strong case for defamation after Ferguson said he was unfit.
That is despite the Manchester United manager's apology.
Goldberg told The Sun: "Ferguson has said things that were patently untrue and which have been properly exposed as false.
"I think Mr Wiley would be more than justified in taking legal action if he is not satisfied with any punishment handed out by the FA.
"The referee's union, Prospect, are clearly in favour of him suing Ferguson if the FA does not put an end to his bullying ways."
