BBC unhappy over Man United media snub

The BBC has said that it will contact the Premier League to express its disappointment at Manchester United's media blackout following Sunday's defeat to Liverpool.

After the 3-1 loss at Anfield, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reused to perform any media engagements, snubbing the BBC, along with Sky Sports and TalkSport.

The BBC intends to discuss the matter with the league, but will stop short of submitting a formal complaint that would trigger punishment action against United, who cannot refuse to make a player or member of the coaching staff available to rights holders for interview.

As no other media outlet has indicated that it will complain about the snub, it is likely that United will escape any sanctions under new rules designed to protect rights holders brought in at the start of this season.

"The BBC is disappointed Manchester United did not put forward a spokesperson following on from the Liverpool match. We will speaking to the Premier League about this," said the BBC.

United imposed the media blackout after last week's Football Association charge against Ferguson over his comments about the refereeing during the game against Chelsea. The silent protest even extended to United's in-house TV channel MUTV.

Ferguson's assistant Mike Phelan also did not carry out his usual post-match engagements with the BBC, arranged due to the manager's long-running feud with the corporation.

United are understood to be facing an up to six-figure fine for Ferguson's continued boycott of the BBC, but the league is hoping that the situation can be resolved amicably at ongoing negotiations.