Ban Roberto Carlos, Urges Ferguson

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has stoked up the flames ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid by insisting Roberto Carlos should be banned.

The Brazilian ace was sent off in the recent friendly with Portugal after aggressively confronting the referee.

Ferguson believes Real should be "trembling" at the prospect of a lengthy ban, but adds that the "power" of the Spanish giants is why no action has yet been taken against the left-back.

Ferguson told The News Of The World: "They (Real) came out with stuff about wanting to sign David Beckham but we expected that. We are not surprised - especially as they have their own problems."

"Rather than worry about carrying out personal attacks on Manchester United players they have their own issue with Roberto Carlos to solve."

"I would think they will be trembling in their shoes because if UEFA and FIFA do their job properly Roberto Carlos has to be banned."

"Look at the two Portuguese players - Joao Pinto and Abel Xavier. Pinto got four months for punching a referee in the stomach while Xavier was banned for nine months for allegedly attacking a linesman."

"Those bans were made immediately, immediately!"

Ferguson added that the club's president Florentino Perez was using his influence to twist of the arms of Uefa and Fifa.

"That just shows you the power of Real Madrid. UEFA and FIFA can't make a decision until they have seen what Perez says in Madrid first," he said.

"That is Real Madrid's power. That is why we pray we get a good referee on Tuesday night and in the second leg."

"I am sure Roberto Carlos will play on Tuesday because it is Real Madrid. If it were any other club he would be banned."

"As for them wanting to sign Beckham we don't worry about that. It won't affect him, in fact I hope it drives him."