Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been told by the Football Association to explain his reported comments suggesting the ruling body had done "a deal" with Arsenal over a recent disciplinary hearing.
A statement on the official FA website said his comments "appear to raise issues about the integrity and impartiality of the FA's disciplinary process".
The FA has also written to United asking if Ferguson's comments reflect the club's position. Ferguson and United have been given until November 11th to respond.
Ferguson was unhappy about the punishments handed to title rivals Arsenal and their players following incidents during and after the match between the sides at Old Trafford in September which ended goalless.
Ferguson claimed the £175,000 fine and bans issued to Lauren, Martin Keown, Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour was part of a deal between the FA and Arsenal.
"I think Arsenal will be delighted with the decision, that's without question," said Ferguson after the FA's decision. "I read they did a deal before they went in there and I think that was the suspicion right throughout the country that a deal was being done. It's disappointing to read that kind of thing.
"It's obvious they have been doing deals for years."