Ferdinand critical of Euro refs

Rio Ferdinand was infuriated by referee Fandel's approach

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has accused Champions League referees of being ignorant.

United were angry at German referee Herbert Fandel's performance in the 2-1 defeat against AS Roma in Rome.

Ferdinand said: "In Europe the referees have got an ignorance problem. You can't speak to them.

"You try to speak to them in the best manner possible, but they just turn their nose up at you. It's almost like they're from the upper crust."

United's Paul Scholes was sent off in Rome and manager Sir Alex Ferguson was critical of referee Fandel after the match.

Ferdinand added: "Something needs to be done because there is no conversation, no communication between us and the referees.

"It makes everyone frustrated. It's not the language. This referee was German but he was speaking good English. A few of his decisions were just laughable.

"The attitude of referees has got to change. There's got to be a better environment on the pitch.

"Refs have got to do that by being talkative to the players and having a conversation with them without looking at you like you're a piece of rubbish.

"I just had to laugh at some of the ref's decisions. It was that bad."