Under-fire referee Dermot Gallagher could be reprieved from demotion to the Nationwide League after it was claimed the Football Association got his punishment wrong.
Gallagher was expected to be demoted from the Barclaycard Premiership after failing to send Leeds United's Robbie Keane off when he pushed over David Beckham during the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
Fellow referees Paul Durkin and Steve Bennett also faced sanctions for failing to discipline offenders during games.
But referees association spokesman Keith Cooper told the Daily Starnewspaper: "They can't discipline any of these refs because they haven't followed the procedure laid down in the FA handbook.
"The FA have made a monumental blunder and are having to backtrack," added Cooper.
Referees have to be notified in writing, provided with evidence and given 14 days to admit the charge or request a personal hearing.
"I was astonished when I discovered this hadn't been done even though a statement by the FA on Teletextsaid that Dermot had been demoted."
PA