London, Mar 3: Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson faces `trial by TV' after the FA demanded to see film footage of his Stamford Bridge rant against referee Martin Atkinson.

A furious Ferguson lashed out after Chelsea's Frank Lampard's late penalty shot downed United and blew the Premier League title race wide open again.

Ferguson claimed Atkinson should have sent off Blues' goal hero David Luiz for clattering England striker Wayne Rooney. Nemanja Vidic was red-carded in injury time.

FA chiefs have until 4 p. m. on Friday to decide whether to hit Ferguson with an improper conduct charge for questioning Atkinson's strength and fairness after United controversially lost 2-1 at Chelsea on Tuesday night, The Sun reports.

The referees union has also demanded public apology from the United boss or he should come clean on why he thinks Atkinson is incompetent.

Ferguson already has a suspended two-match touchline ban hanging over him from blasting referee Alan Wiley in October 2009 and labelling him unfit.

Alan Leighton, national secretary of referees body Prospect, said: "Alex Ferguson should come out and clarify exactly what he meant with his comments. I dread to think any manager seriously believes in the cold light of day that any referee is unfair or biased.

"That is an attack on the very fabric of the game. He should explain what he means or else it would be very helpful if he were to apologise for any implication that Martin Atkinson is unfair or biased." (ANI)