FA criticised by Ferguson

Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, has criticised the Football Association for extending the suspension on Eric Cantona, saying they were guilty of breaking a promise to the club.

Cantona was banned by United until the end of the season for his attack on a Crystal Palace fan in January, and Ferguson says that the FA indicated they would not increase his punishment.

But Cantona was subsequently suspended from the game worldwide until 1 October. "I think the commission went too far," Ferguson said. "You can't have people in charge of an organisation like the FA being dictated to by the media."

Ferguson claims that the FA's spokesman, David Davies, told United that Cantona's punishment would not be increased on the night the club's directors issued the initial ban.