Bitter feud takes new twist

The Arsenal manager has now accused his Manchester United counterpart of bringing the game into disrepute and is demanding the ruling body take action against his bitter rival.

Ferguson reignited the feud ahead of the clash between the teams at Highbury on 1 February with a calculated attack on Wenger, describing him as a "disgrace" and accusing him of coming at him "with his arms raised" after the infamous Battle of the Buffet at Old Trafford in October.

But Wenger hit back: "In England you have a good phrase. It is 'to bring the game into disrepute'. But that should not apply only after the game has taken place.

"The managers have a responsibility to protect the game before it starts. Yet in England it seems you are only punished for what you say afterwards.

"There is a big match next month and we have a responsibility to protect the game before it starts. Yet in England it seems you are only punished for what you say afterwards." The FA have yet to make any public comment although Soho Square officials have let it known that they are "totally fed up with the persistent, petulant bickering of high profile managers".

The governing body believe that the public insults will stop only if there is a united effort from the FA, the clubs and the League Managers' Association.

LMA chief executive John Barnwell said today: "We are not best pleased that two senior managers appear to be dealing with something in the public arena, but that is the business we are in. They are two of the top managers in the game but this is a very emotional business and people say things others do not like.

"What we have done and are doing will remain private - but we are trying to deal with it."