Referees chief Keith Hackett has been cleared of any responsibility for the decision to overrule John Terry's red card at Manchester City on Saturday. Alex Ferguson accused Hackett of being behind the move, which frees the Chelsea skipper to play against the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Ferguson, who has been involved in angry exchanges with Hackett before, believes the general manager of the Professional Game Match Officials Board personally stepped in to get Terry off the hook after referee Mark Halsey refused to overturn his original decision.

However, the PGMO insist Hackett was not involved in any about-turn at all.

"All matters of discipline are an issue for the FA - and them alone," said a spokesman for the organisation.

Indeed, Ferguson could now find himself in trouble with the Football Association over his latest outburst.

Having already seen Nemanja Vidic suspended following his sending off at Liverpool, the United manager at least felt Terry's absence would even the situation up in Sunday's Barclays Premier League encounter.

"Hackett told Halsey to rescind the red card but he would not do it," said Ferguson. "If it had been a Manchester United player Hackett would not have done this."

Halsey has not commented on the matter and has been informed he will take charge of the Coca-Cola League Two encounter between Chester and Shrewsbury on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the FA has confirmed that Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie will receive no further punishment and will serve a three-match ban after his sending off in Saturday's match against Hull.

Guthrie was dismissed for kicking Hull forward Craig Fagan who has been ruled out for three months with a broken leg as a result.

Fagan said today, he is "devastated" to be sidelined until December.

"I was starting to feel comfortable in the Premier League for the first time. I never really had that at Derby," Fagan told the Hull Daily Mail. "I've been enjoying it all season. Everything was feeling good and falling into place. I felt I was starting to show what I can do.

"I'm devastated that I'll be missing the games, but I've got to concentrate on getting back as quickly as possible."

Guthrie has vowed to apologise for his reckless challenge and Fagan is awaiting a phone call from the Magpies youngster.

He added: "He's come out and said he wants to speak to me, but he sent me a text message on Monday night saying he's disappointed with what's happened.

"In my eyes, that text message doesn't do the justice of what a phone call does.

"I'm not saying that he hasn't tried to apologise, but maybe it could be different."