FA chief Barwick hits back

The incoming chief executive of the Football Association, Brian Barwick, today distanced himself from claims made by the former BBC director General Greg Dyke that he " hates" Manchester United.

A self-proclaimed Liverpool fanatic who takes over at the FA on 31 January, Barwick is understood to be unhappy at allegations, made by Dyke in a newspaper column yesterday, that he used to fix the BBC's team of the year award to ensure United never won it.

Currently head of sport at ITV, Barwick used to be deputy head of sport at the BBC and was responsible for co-ordinating the broadcaster's annual sports awards.

But sources close to Barwick today dismissed Dyke's allegations, which included a claim that Sir Alex Ferguson called Barwick "that bastard", in an effort to draw a line under the row.

A source told Standard Sport: "Brian is perplexed at why Greg Dyke has said this.

"The fact of the matter is that the team of the year, during Brian's time at the BBC, was picked by an internal ballot of 12 people, made up of a mix of editors and programme presenters, so it would not have been his decision.

"He has had a professional and civil relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson for the best part of 20 years working for the BBC and then ITV. It is a total misrepresentation of Brian's relationship with Manchester United where he has many friends and has a positive relationship.

"His following of Liverpool has been a source of fun and light hearted banter but he has always been a big supporter of Manchester United professionally.

"The highlight of his time at ITV was the 1999 Champions League final and after that he took ITV executives to Manchester and hosted a dinner at which Sir Alex was guest of honour."

Dyke's comments could have been hugely damaging to Barwick as he attempts to rebuild relations between United and the FA following the Rio Ferdinand drug test controversy.