Mark Clattenburg's explanation of Wayne Rooney's clash
with James McCarthy will determine whether the Manchester United
striker is banned.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was incensed by the sight of
Rooney's elbow connecting with the side of McCarthy's head and
sought out Clattenburg for an explanation at half-time.
The Durham official told Martinez he felt there had been "a
coming together", something he appeared to indicate through hand
gestures at the time.
That cut little ice with the Latics manager, who felt the
decision was straightforward, a view endorsed by Match of the Day
duo Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson when they analysed the
incident.
The only obvious way round this for Clattenburg when he sends in
his official match report would be to state he saw the clash, but
not the elbow.
Even then, the FA would be within their rights to ask exactly
why he gave the free-kick considering, without the elbow incident,
McCarthy had moved towards Rooney rather than the other way
round.
If Clattenburg says he saw the entire clash fully, Rooney is
likely to escape sanction, although a three-match ban could see him
miss this week's Premier League games with Chelsea and Liverpool,
plus the FA Cup sixth-round tie against either Arsenal or Leyton
Orient.
Sir Alex Ferguson's initial reaction was to steel himself for a
media backlash, which duly arrived from Hansen and Lawrenson.
"Every picture tells a story and sometimes you can't defend the
indefensible," Lawrenson said.
And Hansen added: "He (Rooney) is in big trouble. You can't
argue with the pictures.
"There is some conjecture about whether the referee saw the
incident or not. Is he looking at the ball? Categorically, he is
not looking at the incident. He is looking at the ball.
"McCarthy takes a step to his left to try and block Wayne. He
(Rooney) swings the elbow. He has thrown the elbow, smacked him on
the head and should have been off."
Should Clattenburg leave the FA free to launch a charge, which
under the new fast-track process could be dealt with before
kick-off against Chelsea even if United opt to appeal, United are
bound to raise accusations of double standards.
Although Newcastle's Mike Williamson was charged with violent
conduct following a clash with Johan Elmander at St James' Park
earlier this season, there are other instances of players not being
hauled over the coals.
Nigel de Jong and Liam Ridgewell - coincidentally for a tackle
on McCarthy - both escaped further sanction for bad challenges
during 2010, whilst Steven Gerrard got away with flicking a 'V'
sign towards Andre Marriner at Wigan last term.
Ferguson ripped into Michael Ballack when the German elbowed
Patrice Evra during the 2009 Community Shield at Wembley, but again
the incident was not punished further.
The United boss has already suffered in his dealings with
Clattenburg, having been handed a £5,000 fine and two-match
touchline ban for a half-time outburst at the official at Bolton in
2007, when he felt Kevin Davies had overstepped the mark in a
challenge with Evra.
As he left Wigan though, he appeared to be suspicious of the
part media reaction might play in Rooney's situation.
"I have had a chance to see it," the Scot said. "There is
nothing in it.
"But, what will happen, the question has been asked and because
it is Wayne Rooney the press will raise a campaign to get him hung
by Tuesday or electrocuted or something like that.
"It is unbelievable. Watch the press. It will be interesting to
see it."
Ferguson's assistant Mike Phelan was not so aggressive in his
views.
However, he believed Clattenburg dealt with the matter at the
time.
"I don't know whether there should be a witch hunt," he said.
"The referee saw what he saw and he kept the game rolling.
"We can't dispute a referee's decision. He is out there on the
field to take charge of the situation."
