The referee in the news, Alan Wiley, could turn to the courts and sue Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson for 'bullying'.

According to British tableloid The Sun, a sports lawyer, Mel Goldberg, Wiley could sue Ferguson as he 'has a strong case for defamation' after Ferguson's comments that said Wiley was not fit to referee.

Goldberg, who is the chairman of the British Association for Sport and Law, said Wiley can also do so even though the Manchester United manager has issued an apology.

Goldberg was quoted by The Sun as saying: "Ferguson has said things that were patently untrue and which have been properly exposed as false.

"I think Mr Wiley would be more than justified in taking legal action if he is not satisfied with any punishment handed out by the FA.

"The referee's union, Prospect, are clearly in favour of him suing Ferguson if the FA does not put an end to his bullying ways."