UNITED SHOW CLASS

“Wenger literally turned on Fergie. He started screaming and shouting and finger-prodding the United manager. Then he systematically had a go at Ferguson’s players, starting with van Nistelrooy. He called him a lazy cheat, then questioned Ferguson’s decency at accepting a fraud penalty. Then he gave Wayne Rooney a character assassination, yelling all the time. Ferguson looked shocked as no one had ever seen Wenger lose it like this. Wenger, instead of calming down, became even more abusive. There was suddenly a crowd of players who had been in the dressing room eating their post-match food. And that’s when the food from the Arsenal dressing room started being hurled at Ferguson. His shirt and blazer were getting covered in soup and bits of pizza — and all the time Wenger was still ranting at him.”

The insider added; “Ferguson stayed cool throughout and actually laughed — which seemed to make the Arsenal lot even MORE agitated. Eventually the United security staff bundled the Arsenal crowd back into their dressing room. Fergie kept his cool and the United players waited in their dressing room until their rivals had left the ground. The whole thing was unbelievable.”

Dominic Fifield, Jon Brodkin and Paul Kelso
The Guardian

Arsenal may yet face charges over the "Soup-gate" scandal after it emerged that police officers were in the tunnel and witnessed a visiting player showering Sir Alex Ferguson in pea soup and pizza in the wake of his Manchester United team's 2-0 win at Old Trafford on Sunday.

While no criminal charges will be brought against the player concerned, the Football Association is sure to contact Greater Manchester police to seek feedback from the officers present before deciding if any charges can be brought. The possibility remains that Arsenal and the player may face fines and possible suspensions for their actions.

Soho Square confirmed last night that it is investigating the fracas which took place in the corridor leading to the dressing rooms at the end of the game. "We will be looking to gather information from different sources," said an FA spokesman.

Both clubs were understandably keen for details of the incident to remain under wraps - United's players were keeping their counsel and neither club is willing to comment - though details have still steadily emerged.

Arsenal's equipment manager Paul Johnson apparently accidentally suffered a bloody nose as he tried to separate those involved and a security guard, employed by United, was allegedly hit on the head as he attempted to intervene. In the meantime Thierry Henry, who had a set-to with Roy Carroll, made clear his dissatisfaction to TV reporters at the award of the man of the match to Rio Ferdinand.

No United players are believed to have been near Ferguson when the hot soup and pizza were thrown from Arsenal's dressing room. The United manager changed into a club tracksuit before doing his post-match interview with Sky, and the incidents were missed by Riley and his assistants who had already reached the referee's room by that stage.

As a result they will not merit a mention in the official's report to the FA and both clubs are likely to maintain their present policy of silence today.