Sport 26-10-2004 Ruud Denies Serious Foul Play who: Ruud van Nistelrooy what: Charged with serious foul play by FA where: Old Trafford, MANCHESTER when: Yesterday snippet: "Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been charged with serious foul play following his tackle on Ashley Cole in the 2-0 win over Arsenal at Old Trafford," says the ITV news website. "The FA has also asked Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to explain his post-match comments about Ruud van Nistelrooy and referee Mike Riley." "I thought it was an appalling challenge," says former referree Jeff Winter in today`s Sun. "It was absolutely sickening because there was nothing mistimed about it - it was a deliberate, studs-showing stamp." Van Nistelroy has issued a denial of the charge, saying he and Cole were both pursuing a "50-50 ball". But the controversy over Sunday`s game does not end there. Oliver Kay of The Times says "an extensive cover-up operation by Arsenal and Manchester United means that the bitter rivals are likely to be spared a police investigation as well as a full Football Association inquiry into the extraordinary scenes after the ill-tempered Premiership match at Old Trafford on Sunday". Although no one is publicly talking, Kay says Sir Alex Ferguson discovered Arsenal players jostling Van Nistelrooy in the tunnel after the game and gave Wenger a telling off for failing to control his players. "Seconds later, from within the mêlée, pizza and soup were thrown, the latter splattering Ferguson`s blazer, shirt and tie". Meanwhile, there appears to have been a victory for people power at Old Trafford after Manchester United announced they had called off takeover talks with US tycoon Malcolm Glazer. [... more]

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