FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Saturday that England's Football Association could have retrospectively punished Wayne Rooney for elbowing an opponent and urged managers - including Manchester United's Alex Ferguson - to show referees more respect.
Ferguson questioned the integrity of referee Martin Atkinson who failed to send off Chelsea defender David Luiz for fouling Rooney and then awarding a penalty kick against Chris Smalling, which led to United losing 2-1 in the Premier League on Tuesday.
But the weekend before admonishing Atkinson for not being ''fair or strong,'' Ferguson was pleased to see United striker Rooney avoid being sent off for his elbow on Wigan's James McCarthy.
Only a free kick was awarded by referee Mark Clattenburg, whose vision of the incident was restricted, and the FA said that FIFA's rules prevented them from taking action against Rooney by reviewing video evidence.
But Blatter maintains that it was possible to act retrospectively, appearing to go against the advice given to the FA by FIFA's disciplinary unit.
''This is up to the discretion of the national association,'' Blatter said. ''They can use video evidence in the discipline and control committee.
''They can impose or change a decision if a red or yellow card has been given to the wrong player. If there's violence the national association can intervene and punish a player - this is permitted at the discretion of the national association.''
But FA chairman David Bernstein, who was sitting next to Blatter during a media briefing following the International Football Association Board meeting, insisted that his organization followed FIFA's rules.
''In the Wayne Rooney situation, under FIFA regulations if the referee sees the incident - which in this case he did do - the FA has no authority except in what is called exceptional circumstances, really exceptional,'' Bernstein said. ''If you open the door to 'halfway exceptional' the floodgates will open.''
What the FA can do is sanction manager after matches for their criticism of referees. Ferguson was charged with improper conduct for his criticism of Atkinson.
Blatter was asked Saturday whether he is concerned by senior managers like Ferguson questioning the integrity and fairness of referees.
''Everyone deserves fair play,'' Blatter responded. ''Respect starts with self discipline. This is what we are asking everywhere, from youth teams upwards and it is also valid for personalities.
''The higher your position, the higher your responsibility. Those that have more power should be more responsible towards others. This is a principle in life.''
If Ferguson is found guilty, he would have to serve a suspension of at least two matches. Half of a four-match penalty for questioning referee Alan Wiley's fitness last season was suspended until the end of this campaign.
