Fergie threatens to ban Sky TV over Rio violent conduct charge

Sir Alex Ferguson has threatened to ban Sky TV after blaming them for Rio Ferdinand being hit with an FA violent conduct charge.

Fergie is angry with Sky for highlighting Ferdinand's off-the-ball swipe at Hull's Craig Fagan in Manchester United's 4-0 win at Old Trafford last Saturday.

Sky are facing an indefinite ban from United's training ground by Fergie, who was also enraged by their repeated showing of Gary Neville's one-fingered gesture to Carlos Tevez.

"You come on about stuff that's of no interest to me," Fergie told a Sky reporter. "You try to promote yourself - just leave the football to us, ok?

"You come out with some nonsense. I don't pay any attention to that. The players’ behaviour has always been perfect. I don't know why you're going on about it."

United defender Ferdinand, who faces a three-match ban, has until 6pm today to respond to the charge.

If, as expected, Ferdinand denies the charge he will be free to play against City tonight and his case will be heard by the FA's disciplinary panel tomorrow.

Ferdinand, who has only just returned from a three-month injury lay-off, could miss United's top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal at The Emirates on Sunday.

The 31-year-old defender could also miss United's crucial Premier League games at home to Portsmouth on February 6 and away to Aston Villa the following Wednesday.

Ref Steve Bennett missed the incident but the FA requested footage of it from Sky and, after analysing the episode, decided to charge Ferdinand.