Ferguson facing FA action over linesman rant

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson is facing disciplinary action by the Football Association (FA) after criticising a linesman for denying his side a penalty in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

An FA statement Monday said the governing body had "contacted Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to ask him for his observations in relation to comments he made in the media following Manchester United's draw against Tottenham yesterday (Sunday)."

After the match, Ferguson hit out at assistant referee Simon Beck, who kept his flag down despite Steven Caulker appearing to trip United substitute Wayne Rooney inside the Spurs 18-yard box in the 63rd minute.

"It was a clear penalty kick on Wayne Rooney, but in no way was the linesman going to give that," Ferguson told the BBC.

"He gave them (Tottenham) everything else. We have not had a good record with this linesman - against Chelsea a few years ago he gave onside to Didier Drogba, who was three yards offside. You remember those things."

In March 2011 Ferguson received a five-match touchline ban from the FA and a £30,000 ($47,500, 35,600 Euros) fine for questioning the integrity of referee Martin Atkinson after a match at Chelsea.

However, he avoided disciplinary action earlier this season despite confronting Mike Dean, assistant referee Jake Collin and fourth official Neil Swarbrick during the Red Devils' game against Newcastle.

United, thanks to Robin van Persie's early goal at White Hart Lane, appeared to be about to restore their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League table until Clint Dempsey's stoppage-time equaliser rescued a point for Spurs.

Now Ferguson's men lead second-placed reigning champions Manchester City by five points.