Referee Graham Poll will not face disciplinary action over his much-publicised "diver" allegations against Manchester United's Gary Neville. Poll mentioned the United defender when discussing problems of players trying to con referees in the modern game.
The Football Association moved quickly to assure Poll he would not face sanctions despite being pulled out of United's match against Liverpool.
Referees' manager Keith Hackett insists the two incidents were not linked.
Poll pulled out of the Old Trafford match with a hamstring injury and Hackett confirmed: "United have never asked for Graham to be replaced and nor would I have expected them to."
He also issued an apology to Ferguson, who was fuming about Poll's remarks: "If Alex has been offended by any comments then he has my personal apology.
"I had no concerns about Graham taking control of the game. He is a world-class referee.
"Graham, unfortunately, has just said something in a way that has been taken out of context."
Neville has complained that Poll's remarks have made him a marked man among the refereeing fraternity.
"Graham Poll did not upset me but once one referee has said something, the others will take note," he said earlier in the week.
"When you think about diving I don't believe the first player who comes to mind is me."
MMIX
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