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Posted 05/03/09 16:21
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Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is an 'easy target' for Premier League referees.
The Manchester United star was booked for diving during last Sunday's Carling Cup semi-final when TV replays proved he was knocked over by Ledley King.
And at Newcastle on Wednesday night, Steven Taylor escaped a red card when he caught the world player of the year with a flailing arm.
Ferguson was sure the Football Association would take more action against the England Under-21 captain once they saw the incident again, claiming afterwards: "I don't think he is out of trouble."
But it now transpires they are powerless to act as referee Steve Bennett only felt the tackle on Ronaldo, which he missed at the time, warranted a yellow card.
As FIFA regulations specifically state yellow cards cannot be upgraded or added to other offences, Taylor is in the clear, which will only fuel Ferguson's belief Ronaldo is being victimised.
Bennett has already sent Ronaldo off twice before, once at Portsmouth and again at Manchester City earlier this season.
And Ferguson feels the 24-year-old's extreme talent is making him fair game.
"Ronaldo is an easy target for the referees," he told MUTV.
"It is easy to give decisions against him because he is such a great player and he is so celebrated.
"When he is away from home every crowd boos him, so he has to handle that. But it is not helping him."
The unsavoury incident - and the subsequent tunnel row involving Taylor and Wayne Rooney with has also now been dismissed - has largely obscured another notable three points for the Red Devils.
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