Ferguson: Ref handled spot-kick call wrong

Apr 27 2008

FURIOUS Sir Alex Ferguson last night laid into ref Alan Wiley for the decision he reckons stopped Manchester United putting one hand on the Premiership trophy.

The Old Trafford boss was blazing after a late penalty, given against Michael Carrick for a clear handball in the box, sealed victory for Chelsea.

The spot kick was flagged by assistant ref Shaun Proctor Green but Fergie fumed: "It was absolutely diabolical.

"It was a major decision. Granted, it hit his hand but he didn't lift it above his shoulders, his head or anything like that.

"And it was going straight to Rio Ferdinand, the ref should have seen that rather than the linesman."

It's the second week on the trot the Scot has taken a pot-shot over penalty decisions, claiming United were denied three clear awards in their 1-1 draw at Blackburn last weekend.

And with the title on the line he sighed: "If we get decisions like that we're in trouble. If we're not getting what we deserve we're going to have to perform really well "Within a minute of Ronaldo coming on as a sub he was grappled to the floor by Michael Ballack - a clear penalty, no penalty given.

"Chelsea were the better team in the first half but sometimes coming out of a European game it can take a while to get it right.

"But the second half we played well. I thought we'd win after Wayne Rooney scored.

"We were playing well but it just didn't happen for us."