Former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has revealed he called Sir Alex Ferguson a 'Scottish c***' after being sent off during a match against Manchester United in 2012. The incident occurred in the first half of the Premier League clash at Anfield, following a tackle on Jonny Evans that resulted in a red card from referee Mark Halsey.
Speaking on the Undr the Cosh podcast, Shelvey claimed Ferguson influenced the decision by speaking to the fourth official. 'I'm thinking, 'This is only going one way,' the don said, 'Send him off,'' Shelvey recalled. As he walked off the pitch, Shelvey directed his anger at Ferguson, saying, 'It's your fault I got sent off you, Scottish c***.'
Despite the insult, Ferguson responded with unexpected calmness. After the match, Shelvey apologised, and Ferguson replied, 'No, don't worry about it, I like it.' Shelvey added, 'And then that was it... I got on well with him.' United won the game 2-1 and went on to win the Premier League title that season.
Shelvey later issued a public apology on social media, writing: 'I apologise to the fans for getting sent off, but no way was I pulling out of that tackle in a game of that importance. I have also apologised to Sir Alex Ferguson. Where I come from, people don't grass people up to get someone sent off.'
