The Football Association is waiting for broadcast footage before deciding whether to take disciplinary action against Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli, following their spat at the end of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
The Manchester United captain and Manchester City striker had to be separated after City's 1-0 win, when Balotelli taunted rival fans by thrusting the badge on his shirt in their direction. Anderson and Ferdinand reacted furiously and attempted to shove Balotelli away from the supporters, prompting the City first-team coach, David Platt, and the manager, Roberto Mancini, to intervene. Ferdinand was further angered when Balotelli winked at him.
The FA is expected to make a decision on Tuesday but it is unlikely that any action will be taken against those involved.
Ferdinand apologised for his part in the fracas via his Twitter account on Sunday though he was still critical of Balotelli's conduct. "If you score a goal and give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that, but at the final whistle [you should] go to your own fans and enjoy it, not opposing fans," the defender wrote. "If I offended anyone I apologise. Emotions were obviously running high."
Paul Scholes will be banned for United's next three matches following his red card against City. The midfielder's studs-up challenge on Pablo Zabaleta has triggered a three-game suspension for serious foul play, which rules him out of the Premier League trip to second-placed Arsenal on 1 May, as well as Tuesday's game against Newcastle and Saturday's match with Everton. The 36-year-old had only recently returned from a two-match ban for collecting 10 yellow cards.
Meanwhile the FA will not take any action against the Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, and his Liverpool counterpart, Kenny Dalglish, following their touchline row at the Emirates on Sunday. Television footage appeared to show Dalglish saying "Piss off" to Wenger, who was incensed that Liverpool had been awarded a penalty in the 101st minute. But unlike the recent Wayne Rooney incident, the swearing was not aimed at the camera.
