Terry decision 'sets precedent'

Terry (far left) was sent off in the second half of the match

Sir Alex Ferguson says the decision to rescind Chelsea captain John Terry's red card against Manchester City could open the gates to more challenges.

The Football Association overruled his dismissal for serious foul play, freeing him to face Ferguson's Manchester United side on Sunday.

"By the letter of the law it was not a goalscoring opportunity," he said.

"Maybe it's good to have an FA panel people can go to but it certainly opens the gate to that kind of thing now."

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Terry had been facing a three-match ban after referee Mark Halsey deemed the tackle on City striker Jo to be serious foul play.

But Chelsea appealed successfully, prompting Ferguson to claim that referees' chief Keith Hackett had told Halsey to overturn the card.

That decision clearly upset Ferguson, who will be without Nemanja Vidic for the same game after the Serbian defender was sent off against Liverpool on Saturday.

"If it had been a Manchester United player Hackett would never have done this for us," he said.

The FA vehemently denied his allegation and is looking into his comments.