The FA are weighing up whether to charge Sir Alex Ferguson with misconduct after the Manchester United manager accused referee Alan Wiley of being physically unfit following the 2-2 draw against Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Ferguson lashed out after his below-par team needed a late own-goal to rescue a point.
Afterwards he accused Wiley of being in poor shape in a remarkable attack filmed by United's in-house TV station.
Ferguson said: "It's an indictment on our game that this referee was not fit enough. It took him at least 30 seconds every time he booked a player and I think that is because he wanted to take a rest. But he didn't add on that time. The referee did not add enough time, not at all."
The Daily Mail says Wiley was not available for comment last night but is understood to be "very upset" by the manager's attack.
The Premier League, who effectively employ the referees, want the FA to take action. The FA have confirmed that they will look at Ferguson's comments and the context in which they were made this morning and then decide whether to act. They have already written to all Premier League clubs this season urging their managers to rein in comments about officials.
