Sir Alex and Carlos cleared

The Football Association has cleared Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz of charges of improper conduct.

The charges relate to media comments made following United's 1-0 FA Cup sixth round defeat against Portsmouth in March.

United were unhappy about a number of decisions from the matchday officials led by referee Martin Atkinson, chiefly what the Reds saw as the failure to award a penalty kick when Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be bodychecked by Sylvain Distin in the first half.

Sir Alex and Carlos held personal hearings on Wednesday but were cleared of all charges by the FA disciplinary panel.

A statement on the FA website read: "At an independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, charges against Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and assistant manager Carlos Queiroz were found not proved."