Neville, Ronaldo facing misconduct charges

The disciplinary bodies of the English Football Association and Uefa clicked into action last night to sanction two Manchester United players within half an hour of each other, with Gary Neville and Cristiano Ronaldo now facing misconduct charges for alleged misdemeanours.

Neville has been charged over his provocative celebrations in front of the travelling Liverpool fans after Rio Ferdinand's late winner at Old Trafford on Sunday. The England full back had run fully 60 yards and his reaction swiftly drew criticism from Greater Manchester Police, who wrote to United and the FA.

The referee on Sunday, Mike Riley, stated in his match report to the game's authorities he would have yellow-carded the United captain had he witnessed his celebrations. Neville has until February 10th to answer the allegation and if he is found guilty he is likely to be fined. "The stick is part of the game," he stated after the match. "One week you take it on the chin, the next you give it out."

Because improper-conduct offences are not included in the FA's fast-track disciplinary system the full-back is free to face Wolves in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Molineux.

Ronaldo will return for that game having served a three-match ban for his dismissal during the Manchester derby this month, though his chances of appearing in United's first European fixture of next season - should they qualify - appear slim.

Uefa charged the Portuguese winger with misconduct yesterday for a single-finger gesture directed at Benfica supporters upon his substitution at the Stadium of Light during United's 2-1 Champions League defeat in December.

The 20-year-old's case will be heard at a disciplinary committee hearing in Barcelona next Thursday, with Uefa likely to impose at least a one-match suspension.

The prospect of United enduring further punishment for the half-time altercation between their players and those of Blackburn Rovers during Wednesday's League Cup semi-final at Old Trafford remains, though the FA response is likely to be limited to a request to both clubs to give their version of events. The referee, Graham Poll, has not reported the incident between Ferdinand and Robbie Savage and no punches are believed to have been thrown.

Guardian Service