Barwick in warning to rivals over behaviour

Brian Barwick has warned Arsenal and Manchester United to be on their best behaviour tonight.

The Football Association's chief executive only started in his new post yesterday but has already waded into the bitter relationship between the two clubs.

Managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were involved in a bitter slanging match in the build-up to the game until told by the Premier League to keep their counsel.

Police have also warned them not to inflame an already potentially volatile clash because it could stir up trouble between fans.

Barwick, who will be at Highbury tonight, hinted he would encourage the FA to take a hard line against bad behaviour during the clash.

He said: "When these two great teams meet, it should represent all that is good about our domestic game and not be the subject of recrimination and revenge for weeks and indeed months following.

"That does not set the right example for the rest of the game."

Barwick also indicated that measures to stamp out diving will also be high on his agenda at Soho Square.

He said: "One issue that concerns me is technically termed 'simulation'. Let's get real - this is diving. Cheating, in fact.