ARSENAL will be charged by the FA today for the disgraceful and violent conduct of their players at the end of yesterday's ill-tempered clash at Old Trafford. Ruud van Nistelrooy was struck by Martin Keown, Ray Parlour and Lauren at the final whistle after the Dutchman's role in the 80th-minute controversy which led to Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira's dismissal. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson branded Arsenal's behaviour at the end "beyond the pale" and called for the FA to investigate their bullying conduct which marred the game. And in a further twist, Vieira branded van Nistelrooy a cheat for the over-reaction which led to the eighth red card of his career and sparked the ugly scenes between both sides. Television replays clearly showed Vieira made no contact with van Nistelrooy and the Frenchman said: "I am really angry with Ruud, not the referee. Ruud made more of the challenge than he should have done, and in that way he cheated. He tried to stamp on me." Wenger insisted the United striker should also have been dismissed for the alleged stamp. "Van Nistelrooy is not the fairest player on the pitch," said Wenger. "What he did was a form of cheating. He should have been sent off for the foul which Patrick ended up reacting to. "Van Nistelrooy's behaviour on the pitch doesn't help. He is a great player but he is always looking to provoke something by diving. "He looks a nice boy on the pitch but his behaviour is not fair. If people are trying to convince me that van Nistelrooy is an angel, they will have a problem. "Patrick retaliated, even though he didn't make contact. He had already been booked, so he had go. But van Nistelrooy should have gone as well for the way he behaved." Ferguson reacted angrily to Wenger's claims and launched an impassioned defence of van Nistelrooy who missed an injury-time penalty. "I've heard what Arsene Wenger said about Ruud and I'm extremely disappointed," said Fergie. "I can defend Ruud completely. He is not a diver. "Vieira committed some bad fouls throughout the game and he reacted badly to Ruud's challenge. All Ruud did was look at the referee, as if to say 'what kind of challenge was that?' "And Arsenal's behaviour at the end was beyond the pale. You never want to see that kind of conduct, and I think everyone in the country will be disappointed with what they saw. "But it's not for me to talk about Arsenal's disciplinary record. That's for them to sort out. I can only talk about my players, who I thought acted properly." Vieira will receive a one-match ban for yesterday's dismissal and will miss Arsenal's Premiership clash with Chelsea on October 18. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Remanufactured Ink Cartridges & Refill Kits at MyInks.com for: HP $8-20. Epson $3-9, Canon $5-15, Lexmark $4-17. Free s/h over $50 (US & Canada). http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=6351 http://us.click.yahoo.com/0zJuRD/6CvGAA/qnsNAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
