Soccer Shorts: Alex Ferguson and the English Football Association are in conflict again - this time over the new disciplinary procedures launched during the summer.
Ferguson thought there was a cast-iron case for a charge to be brought against Arsenal's Robin van Persie following his tangle with Kieran Richardson during Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at Old Trafford and demanded FA intervention immediately after the match.
His certainty was reinforced by the knowledge that, while van Persie did not actually make contact with Richardson, Aston Villa's Lee Hendrie was sent off at Manchester City last weekend for aiming a headbutt at Danny Mills which also did not make contact.
Yet within 24 hours, after viewing TV evidence and reading referee Mark Halsey's report, the FA declared there would be no punishment for van Persie, leaving Ferguson in a state of bewilderment.
"It's not a matter of being disappointed about the FA not taking action, more that we need clarification over their disciplinary process," said the Manchester United manager. "There is a lot of puzzlement about how the system works, how it is conducted and how they reach their conclusions. All managers are confused about the situation, especially when you think Lee Hendrie was given a three-match ban for intent. Managers just don't know how the procedures are working."
Meanwhile, Ferguson has also questioned Northern Ireland's goalkeeper Roy Carroll's delay in signing a new contract at Old Trafford saying: "It is one of those things that is hard to understand," Ferguson told the Manchester Evening News. "Players get advice from people but whether it is the best advice, I don't know. But the thing is if he walks through that door there are not many Manchester Uniteds waiting that's for sure."
Wenger gives Edu ultimatum
Arsene Wenger has warned midfielder Edu he must sign a new Arsenal contract by January - or risk facing five months on the sidelines as the Gunners boss will sign a replacement.
Edu, whose contract expires at the end of this season, has failed to agree terms with Arsenal amid reported interest from Barcelona. If he fails to put pen to paper, the Arsenal boss will dip into the January transfer market to sign an experienced replacement. And if Edu then agrees a pre-contract with another club, that could result in him being left out of the Arsenal starting line-up.
Wenger declared: "It's up to Edu. If he doesn't sign a new deal, we will buy someone else. It's as simple as that. He can sign anywhere else on January 2nd, so he has much to consider. Once someone has signed for someone else, it's difficult to be completely committed to his club."
Wenger denied an interest in River Plate midfielder Javier Mascherano, while he played down the prospects of re-signing Emmanuel Petit.
Petit, (34), who was released by Chelsea last summer, is currently training with his former club, with whom he won the double in 1998.
Wenger declared: "It's not in my mind to sign him at the moment, but maybe he could help us for a few weeks. I've not ruled it out."
However, he later added: "I said that about Petit as you never say no. But I'm more concerned about getting our players back from injury."
Gronkjaer free to leave Blues
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce is prepared to offload winger Jesper Gronkjaer to Spain providing the club can recoup most of the £2.2 million paid to Chelsea last summer.
Atletico Madrid are believed to be heading the hunt for the Denmark international, whose form has been inconsistent during his five months at St Andrews.
Bruce said: "The situation is we have had inquiries from two Spanish clubs. There has been no fee agreed just yet but my managing director (Karren Brady) is speaking to the respective parties.
"We will see what develops over the next couple of weeks. We have agreed that Jesper can go, with it being in the interest of both parties, if the price is right and we will see what happens."
In brief . . .
Gabriel Batistuta has confirmed he is in talks with Barcelona over a January move to the Catalan club as a replacement for injured Henrik Larsson . . . Chelsea's Jose Mourinho and Arjan Robben were yesterday named as Premiership manager and player of the month respectively . . . Ron Atkinson will make his first major TV reappearance since racist remarks he made forced his resignation from ITV. He will be a guest on John Barnes' Football Night on Britain's Channel Five next Thursday . . .Third division club Wrexham were placed in administration by the High Court in Manchester yesterday. The move means the Welsh team will be docked 10 points under Football League rules . . . Birmingham defender Martin Grainger has been forced to retire because of a persistent knee problems . . . Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren is to fight a FA charge of improper conduct following Sunday's stormy match at Tottenham . . . Greek side Panionios have rejected allegations of match-fixing following their 5-2 UEFA Cup win over Dinamo Tbilisi after falling behind one-nil at half-time. Large sums were bet on both scorelines. UEFA is investigating but yesterday said it was putting "no timeframe" on the probe.
