Ferguson accused of indecent assault

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is facing an allegation of indecent assault in South Africa.

A woman filed the complaint with Cape Town police following an alleged incident in a car at 0200 local time on Friday.

Ferguson, 60, has been in South Africa to explore the possibility of Manchester United linking up with the Cape Town Football Academy.

Vigorous denial

Superintendent Nina Kirsten, spokeswoman for the South African Police of West Metropole, told BBC Sport Online: "I can confirm that a complaint of indecent assault has been made against a high-profile British man.

"The complaint was made at approximately 1100 local time [1000 BST] at our Camps Bay police station.

"The case is currently being investigated, and will be taken to the Director of Public Prosecutions on Monday.

"He will decide then whether charges will be made."

But Ferguson's legal team want the matter resolved before then.

Taswell Papier, appointed on Saturday to represent the Manchester United boss, said he hoped the Director of Public Prosecutions could clear up the matter by the end of Saturday.

Ferguson is scheduled to return to England on Sunday and is thought to want the issue resolved by then.

"Hopefully we will be able to receive an outcome during the course of the day," Papier told Sky News.

Papier said Ferguson was "obviously perturbed at the result of these allegations" but was continuing his official duties as normal.

On Saturday he was due to attend official engagements at the University of Pretoria.

Papier said no travel restrictions had been placed on the Old Trafford boss.

Profile: Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United's communications director, Patrick Harverson, told the BBC the club had "no comment" to make.

But Ferguson's legal representative, Alex Abercrombie, told BBC News 24: "There is an allegation that Sir Alex touched a female on the leg.

"But Sir Alex denies any impropriety.

"He is most upset and very concerned that his family, and Manchester United, have to get embroiled in this."