Referee Controversy Mars Chelsea Tie

Referee of Manchester United's Carling Cup Semi Final draw with Chelsea, Neale Barry, has found himself in the centre of controversy following complaints about Barry's decisions.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claims that Sir Alex Ferguson had words with the official at half-time and seemed to favour The Red Devils in tackles after the alleged talk. The Portuguese manager narrowly escaped an FA fine because of his post-match interview.

"I see one referee in the first half and another in the second (talk to Ferguson)," stated Mourinho. "If the FA ask me what happened, I will tell them. What I saw and felt made it easier to understand a few things."

He continued: "Maybe when I turn 60 and have been managing in the same league for 20 years and have the respect of everybody I will have the power to speak to people and make them tremble a little bit.

"The referee controlled the game in one way during the first half but in the second they had dozens of free-kicks. It was fault after fault, dive after dive.

"But I know the referee did not walk to the dressing rooms alone at half-time. He should only have had his two assistants and the fourth official with him, but there was also someone else."

The game ended in a goalless draw, United's 3rd in as many games, despite bagfuls of chances that were rued.

Chelsea skipper John Terry was also unhappy with Barry. "It seemed as though he didn't really give us much. With most refs and being captain, you can maybe have a word, but he just wasn't willing to listen which was disappointing." said the England international defender.