From: The Football Association
To: All Premier League Referees
Colleagues: We thought it appropriate to add some additional guidance for refereeing critical matches involving Manchester United. As you know, Sir Alex Ferguson is a prominent and much revered figure in domestic football, so your role in decision-making both at Old Trafford and at Manchester United's away fixtures comes under additional scrutiny. Here is our advice:
1. Injury Time. In addition to the normal rules of adding time for injuries or substitutions, at Old Trafford an extra three to six minutes can be added if:-
a) Sir Alex is red-faced, threatening the fourth official and/or promising to "end your career laddy".
b) If his team are losing by one goal.
If they are losing by more than one goal, an additional two minutes can be added for each additional goal they need to score to draw level.
If they are away from home, use your discretion about how many glass bottles might be hurled at you at the end of the game from the home supporters. But an additional minute per goal is usually ok.
2. Penalties. Manchester United players are frequently the victims of flagrant fouls in the box especially in the first five minutes. If you are at Old Trafford, make sure you apply the full extent of the law.
3. Whether at Old Trafford or away, if you are a female referee and are called upon to rule against Manchester United, contact Andy Gray immediately.
