Sir Alex Ferguson: FA 'crazy at times'

Sir Alex Ferguson has lashed out at the Football Association over their perceived "dysfunctional" disciplinary system.


Less than two months after Rio Ferdinand was handed what turned out to be a four-match ban for an attack on Hull's Craig Fagan at Old Trafford that was not spotted by referee Steve Bennett at the time, Ferguson has seen Steven Gerrard twice emerge from incidents that could have landed him in hot water.


United would have expected Gerrard to be charged at least once after appearing to make a gesture towards referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's defeat at Wigan last week and then catching Portsmouth's Michael Brown with a late challenge at Anfield on Monday.


Instead, Gerrard is free to play in this weekend's duel between the Red Devils and Liverpool at Old Trafford, and potentially play a pivotal role in this season's title race.


A long time critic of the FA's handling of disciplinary matters, Ferguson claims to no longer care about their handling of individual issues, although the Scot is clearly perturbed.


"I didn't expect them to be charging Steven Gerrard simply because I think it is a dysfunctional unit, the FA," he said.


"I don't think they know what they are doing.


"There is no consistency for a start. I didn't expect to get any.


"I am not too bothered about it. They can do what they want down there. It is crazy at times."