FA probes Michael Ball and Michael Brown incidents

The Football Association will investigate Manchester City defender Michael Ball's apparent stamp on Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo.
It will view television footage of the incident in Saturday's derby.

The FA will also look into the alleged headbutt by Fulham's Michael Brown on Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.

An FA spokesman said: "We will ask the officials what action they would have taken had they seen the incidents - and any charges will be based on that."

If any charges are announced on Tuesday, the players would have until Wednesday to respond and, under the fast-track system, a disciplinary hearing would take place on Thursday.

Ball appeared to stamp on United winger Ronaldo only two minutes into Saturday's match but the incident was not spotted by referee Rob Styles.

"It was a really bad challenge," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

City manager Stuart Pearce said he would look at Ball's challenge again before deciding whether to take action.

United won the match 1-0 with a Ronaldo penalty after the Portuguese star had been fouled in the box by Ball.

Brown and Alonso clashed in the first half of Fulham's 1-0 win at Craven Cottage and the off-the-ball incident left the Spaniard with a bloody nose.

"It was clear and everybody saw it," said Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"When the FA view the replay I suppose they will take action.

"If the officials had seen it then it could have changed the game. Big money has been spent in the electronics system for the four officials yet nobody could see anything."

Fulham caretaker manager Lawrie Sanchez responded: "I asked Browny what happened at half-time and he said they ran into each other, there was no headbutt.

"I believe my captain if he says that. He did say they clashed heads but added there was no intent.

"What will be will be - it's not for me to decide what the Football Association will do."