LONDON — Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson accused assistant referee Simon Beck of denying Wayne Rooney a clear penalty as Spurs came from behind to snatch a draw at White Hart Lane.
Report by BBC Sport
Ferguson singled out Beck for criticism after Clint Dempsey’s late goal prevented United restoring their seven-point lead over Manchester City.
It is not the first time Ferguson has had a high-profile disagreement with Beck. In 2010 the United manager was furious when Beck allowed Didier Drogba to score from an offside position as Chelsea won at Old Trafford to take control of the title race.
On this occasion, Rooney went down after a challenge by Spurs defender Steven Caulker midway through the second half and Ferguson was angry Beck did not flag for a foul.
“I am disappointed with him — we have not had a good record with him,” Ferguson told BBC Sport.
“With Chelsea a couple of years back, he gave onside to Didier Drogba and he was three yards offside. You remember these things because it is (in) important games and that was an important game today.
“It was a clear decision. And he was 10 yards away, maybe 12 yards away from the incident and he doesn’t give it. And yet he gave everything else.”
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Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas was unsure whether Caulker had caught Rooney, but did not want the argument to overshadow what he described as a tremendous performance.
“Obviously it is going to be debated and debated and I hope it doesn’t mar the game,” he said.
“During the game we got most of the decisions against us. I prefer to look at this game on my view and United prefer to look at it on their view.”
