Manchester United and Manchester City granted extra time to explain post-derby bust-up by Football Association

Both clubs will now have until 6.00pm on Friday to submit their versions of events

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Wednesday 13 December 2017 17:05 GMT
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Manchester United and Manchester City players clashed after a fiery derby
Manchester United and Manchester City players clashed after a fiery derby (Getty)

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Manchester United and Manchester City have been granted extra time to provide their observations of the tunnel bust-up which followed Sunday's Manchester derby.

Both clubs will now have until 6.00pm on Friday to submit their accounts of the altercation to the Football Association, who opened an investigation into the incident on Monday.

English football's governing body initially set a deadline of Wednesday evening for both clubs to respond but this has now been extended.

Clashes involving up to 20 players and staff from both clubs after City's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday left Mikel Arteta, one of Pep Guardiola's assistants, with a facial cut.

The incident is understood to have started after United manager Jose Mourinho took exception to City's post-match celebrations.

Mourinho and City goalkeeper Ederson subsequently became involved in a confrontation which then escalated, with scuffles breaking out between players and staff of both clubs.


Referee Michael Oliver did not witness or file a report to the FA regarding the events, which occurred in the corridor between Old Trafford's home and away dressing rooms.

The FA could take disciplinary action against both clubs and any players or staff members involved if, having reviewed the two separate accounts of the incident, they are satisfied there is evidence of misconduct.

City's victory on Sunday opened an 11-point gap at the top of the table, with their neighbours and nearest challengers United trailing in second place.

Both clubs return to Premier League action for the first time on Wednesday night, with City travelling to play relegation-threatened Swansea City while United host Bournemouth.

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