PA Photos
Mario Balotelli and Rio Ferdinand got involved in a post-match disagreement
Manchester City and Manchester United are unlikely to face any punishment for the fracas that blighted the end of their FA Cup semi final at Wembley.
Mario Balotelli incensed Rio Ferdinand upon the final whistle by thrusting the badge on his shirt towards the end where United's fans were housed.
Ferdinand and Anderson took exception to Balotelli's gesture and the players had to be pulled apart by City manager Roberto Mancini and coach David Platt. The FA are due to study the footage on Monday but they are not likely to take any action.
Ferdinand used his Twitter account to attack Balotelli on Sunday, saying: "If u score a goal+give a bit to opposing fans I kind of accept that but at the final whistle go to your own fans+enjoy it not opposing fans.''
But he added of his own behaviour: "If I offended anyone, I apologise, emotions obviously running high.''
Balotelli has been at the centre of several controversies during his career but City boss Roberto Mancini said of the incident: "I didn't see it. I want to wait because every time, 'It's Balotelli's fault'.''
When events were described to him, Mancini joked: "We can put him in jail? Next week, we can put him in jail for this. I am sorry that people will talk about what happened after the match. Nothing big happened.''
Ferdinand's team-mate Edwin van der Sar refused to become embroiled in the row over Balotelli's conduct, saying: "He misunderstood which side of the stadium he needed to go to thank the supporters.
"Maybe in Italy they do things differently. I prefer to talk about football. It is much more important than this kind of thing.''
City coach Platt also praised the maturity shown by former Inter Milan striker Balotelli during the game. "His performance on the pitch yesterday showed a great deal more maturity, the scenes at the final whistle should not have happened but let's not let that mar what was a great day for us,'' he said.
"He is only young and he can't stay out of the headlines and a lot is said about that. Perhaps he shouldn't have done what he did in terms of going over to the Man United fans and it isn't a case of defending him, it was something and nothing at the final whistle.''
Toure scored the winning goal seven minutes into the second half - and dedicated the goal to his brother Kolo, who is currently banned after failing a drugs test. He said: "I will dedicate the goal to my brother and the City fans.
"I am very sad for my brother. He obviously wanted to play but every time I speak with him he's a strong guy. He's the most important person in my life. He has helped us this week and he seems very calm. I am very happy. To win against our big rivals is fantastic. I'm very happy. Happy for the club and for the fans.
"The fans are still waiting for a cup. They have waited a lot of time. We know we have to be strong and the second step is the final. We want to get qualification for the Champions League next season - that's the target of the boss and the president. First we need to get this trophy. That's why the club bought the big players."
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Ha ha ha! Look at the stupid Utd fcukers spitting their dummies out!
Ferdinand is THE biggest c*ck in English football, big fcuking girl, stop tweeting your girly nonsense you ugly m*therfcuker.
What about Neville at Liverpool - the police had to go and give the idiots a lecture on inciting violence!! Short memories Eh?!
Utd players might be bad losers but fair enough they dont like losing. This had nothing to do with Ferdinand and Anderson going for Balotelli, fact is he took the p**s.
If it had been a Utd player celebrating in front of City fans you lot would gone mad.
"who asked you liverpool fans to comment on a article that doesn't involve you"
don't be an idiot, it is football and united supporters comment on other teams all the time, as you must know by now.Personally, Balotelli is the victim in all of this. It isn't as if Man Utd do not have players who have done this kind of thing. Ferdinand's 'apology' on twitter was a joke, not genuine at all. And the idea that these guys were upset because he was celebrating in front of those shrinking violets who support Man Utd just does not wash at all. And it seems that United players feel that 'emotions running high' absolves them of all blame whenever they do anything wrong. It doesn't. And if another united supporting moron tries to compare Dalglish's spat with Wenger with Rooney deliberately approaching the camera to shout obscenities it'll just go to show how stupid some of them really are.
It was a cowardly attack on a player who everyone knows is an easy target. I wonder if they would have been so quick to have a go if it had been Joe Hart or someone with a better reputation. Balotelli and City ought to be mindful of this and they need to get the lad prepared, because many opponents are going to resort to this kind of stuff. He did exactly the right thing in just giving Ferdinand a little wink.
Anyway, well done City, they thoroughly deserved the win and I wish them well for the final.
The only thing that let Manure down was their diving skills I thought the execution was good 8/10 but the overall finish to the dives poor 3/10 (back to Ferguson's acting classes ) one tip would be a bit too much arms in the air and run like a headless chicken not working now. But I must say it was nice to see how professional Ferdinand was at the end of the game shaking every body's hand or was it necks, does he forget his interviews.
I think if they win the title it will be a shame as they are not a good example to Sport fans very poor losers and now not even good divers.
Well done Norcs071, a football fan with a point of view that at least makes sense! The rubbish that has been talked on this article beggars belief. Who asked all these Liverpool fans to comment? Oh yes, all you United fans did, with you saying anything on any football story, Liverpool fans can't help themselves, they need to scoure every story that involves United to see if they can score a point in your constant one up-manship battles. This is an article about the City-vs-United match. Are we going to have our day in the sun? I think we are, but I would rather Bolton got through than Stoke!
In conclusion, Liverpool fans, this story isn't about you, so go and find some news that is and comment on that. United fans, a bad day at the office but get over it, you'll still have a good season. City fans, Balotelli is a silly boy, but talent galore if the people around him can make him grow up a bit.
Oh, one more thing, C'MON CITY!!
For once the reds mobbed a player instead of the ref.
They had nothing else to protest about so that excuse will do.