SOCCER: Arsenal may yet face charges over the "Soup-gate" scandal after it emerged police officers were in the tunnel and witnessed a visiting player showering Alex Ferguson in pea soup and pizza in the wake of his Manchester United team's 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
While no criminal charges will be brought against the player concerned, the Football Association is sure to contact Greater Manchester police to seek feedback from the officers present before deciding if any charges can be brought. The possibility remains Arsenal and the player may face fines and possible suspensions for their actions.
Soho Square confirmed last night it is investigating the fracas which took place in the corridor leading to the dressing-rooms at the end of the game. "We will be looking to gather information from different sources," said an FA spokesman.
Yet the repercussions from a fractious game have already begun after Ruud van Nistelrooy was yesterday charged with serious foul play for his knee-high, first-half challenge on Arsenal's Ashley Cole.
The Holland striker planted his right foot on the inside of the full-back's right knee before apparently raking down Cole's leg some nine minutes before half-time. Although the incident took place a few feet from an assistant referee, van Nistelrooy was not booked.
The FA is studying video footage and the forward is required to admit or deny the charge by this evening. He will learn whether he is to serve a three-match ban at a disciplinary hearing on Thursday. If suspended he would miss the Premiership matches against Portsmouth and Newcastle, as well as the derby at Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger has been asked to explain his post-match comments about van Nistelrooy - "We know how he behaves," the Frenchman said in a TV interview, "and he can only cheat people" - as well as the referee Mike Riley. Wenger appeared to question the impartiality of the official, who has awarded eight penalties to United in his last eight visits to Old Trafford. "We got the usual penalty when we come to Manchester United and they are in difficulty," Wenger had said. If he is found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, he would face a heavy fine rather than a touchline ban.
Yet it is "Soup-gate" and the childish pushing and shoving in the tunnel, all too familiar after the ugly scenes at the end of the corresponding fixture last season, that rumble on. Both clubs were understandably keen for details of the incident to remain under wraps - United's players were keeping their counsel and neither club is willing to comment.
One suggestion is the problems were sparked by a confrontation between Wenger and van Nistelrooy after the match. The Arsenal manager was furious with the Dutch striker for his challenge on Cole, considers the 28-year-old to be a cheat and is said to have made that plain. Van Nistelrooy reportedly responded, at which point players from both teams joined in the argument.
Arsenal's equipment manager Paul Johnson apparently accidentally suffered a bloody nose as he tried to separate those involved and a security guard, employed by United, was allegedly hit on the head as he attempted to intervene. In the meantime Thierry Henry, who had a set-to with Roy Carroll, made clear his dissatisfaction to TV reporters at the award of the man of the match to Rio Ferdinand.
No United players are believed to have been near Ferguson when the hot soup and pizza were thrown from Arsenal's dressing-room. The United manager changed into a club tracksuit before doing his post-match interview with Sky, and the incidents were missed by Riley and his assistants. As a result they will not merit a mention in the official's report to the FA.
Given the difficulties experienced in compiling evidence from those involved, Soho Square's desire to interview independent witnesses is expected to prompt it to turn its attentions to the police officers stationed in the tunnel.
