Ex-Premier League referee Alan Wiley has backed 支持 under-fire 遭到攻擊，受批評 Mark Clattenburg following Nani's disputed goal in Saturday's win against Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester United's Nani slotted the ball into the net 把球放進球門 while the Spurs keeper, Heurelho Gomes looked on.

Gomes let the ball in the net because he thought there was a handball by the Man U winger. This would have meant a free kick for Spurs.

However, referee Clattenburg allowed the goal. This meant that a free kick for Spurs didn't happen.

"What we have to remember is that the goal is within the laws of the game 遵守比賽規(guī)則," Alan Wiley told BBC Radio 5 live.

Wiley, who now coaches the 16 select match officials as part of his role with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), offered referee Clattenburg his support.

"The game hadn't stopped and so, in essence, Mark was right in law 合法的," Wiley added.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp was strongly critical of the decision.

"The whole thing was a farce… It was handball. Nani put his hand on it and dragged it down," he said.

"Mark Clattenburg is a top referee but he has had a nightmare with 經(jīng)受困擾 that," he continued.

Redknapp could now be in hot water 困境 with the Football Association for his post-match comments.

United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson suggested the fast pace of events led to some confusion 引起困惑。

"It was bizarre... No one knew at the time what was wrong. One minute the goalkeeper had the ball in his hands and next it's in his net," he said.

Ferguson was less critical of the match officials when he spoke after the game.

"You can look at the referee and look at the linesmen and blame them, but the goalkeeper should know better. He's an experienced goalkeeper. I thought he made a mess of it 攪亂了," Ferguson commented.