Ferguson 'losing faith' in referees

(CNN) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson admitted he is losing faith in referees after he disputed the decision which led to the decisive goal in his side's English Premier League defeat to Chelsea.

The match at Stamford Bridge was decided by a 76th minute freekick awarded to Chelsea by referee Martin Atkinson who judged that Darren Fletcher had fouled Ashley Cole close to the touchline.

Frank Lampard's took the resulting set piece and his inswinging delivery was glanced into the net by Chelsea captain John Terry.

"Clearly, Darren Fletcher's won the ball, Ashley Cole's never touched and has jumped up in the air, and then (Didier) Drogba's pulled Brown to the ground for the goal," Ferguson told reporters.

"The referee's position to make the decision was absolutely ridiculous, he can't see anything. He's got a Chelsea player (Joe Cole) standing right in front of him and he doesn't even move.

"That goal shouldn't have been allowed. It was a bad decision, but there's nothing we can do about it. You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there. It was a bad one."

Ferguson is already facing the possibility of a fine or touchline ban after he admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct for questioning the fitness of referee Alan Wiley.

But the Scot will not face any action from the FA for his latest outburst as the United boss did not question the referee's integrity or claim there was any bias.

You lose faith in refereeing sometimes, that's the way the players are talking in there. It was a bad one.
--Alex Ferguson

The FA could, though, investigate comments made by Wayne Rooney after he appeared to mouth the words "12 men" into a TV camera as he left the field.

United had dominated the game and Ferguson was frustrated that his could not convert possession and chances into goals.

He added: "We had great opportunities to get to the edge of the box and some really good chances in and around the box, but we should be finishing it off.

"We've only ourselves to blame in that respect. But you do need a break - and we never got that break.

"The fact is Chelsea go five points clear of us - the defeat to Liverpool didn't affect our position in the league, this affects our position in the sense that if we'd have won we'd have gone top."