The Football Association have reconciled their differences with Manchester United over the publication of evidence from Patrice Evra's controversial disciplinary hearing.
United full-back Evra was punished for clashing with Chelsea groundstaff at Stamford Bridge last season, with the fall-out from the incident continuing when the report of the improper conduct hearing was published on the FA's website.
It led to FA chairman Lord Triesman and United chief executive David Gill meeting in Tokyo during the FIFA Club World Cup - and both parties hoping to draw a line under the saga.
An FA statement read: "On reviewing the decision to publish, the FA have provided assurances that in future all participants will be made fully aware prior to any hearing that all evidence provided should be done so in the knowledge that it could be made public.
"The FA have also given a commitment that it will ensure appropriate measures will be in place to prevent information being publicised following disciplinary hearings, before clubs are notified of any formal decisions from hearings or intention to publicise findings.
"The FA regret that those involved in providing evidence at the hearing concerning Manchester United's Patrice Evra's charge were not verbally advised that their words would be publicised before, and after giving evidence.
"Additionally, the FA have also made clear it is regrettable that it did not extend the courtesy generally provided to clubs, to advise Manchester United - in advance - that the written findings from the disciplinary hearing of December 4/5, would be made public.
"The FA acknowledge that it is has not been normal procedure for written findings to be published previously, and that there have only been a small number of cases when they have been.
"The fact that they were on the FA's official website on Monday 15 December, before Manchester United had notified the FA of their decision not to exercise their right to appeal against the four-match suspension imposed on Patrice Evra, has also been acknowledged by the FA.
"While doing so, the FA have made it clear they stand by the decision of the independent commission, and the decision to publish the written findings of the hearing, although in this case a summary may have been more appropriate, due to those who provided evidence not being made aware that they would be doing so publicly and also that individuals' reputations have been publicly called into question through doing so.
"We should also make clear that Manchester United's Mike Phelan and Richard Hartis appeared and gave evidence at the hearing following a request from the FA, not because Manchester United had made any complaint.
"Moving forward, the FA remain committed to a consistent, transparent process of publicising findings from disciplinary hearings, with the commission chairman's approval - either in full transcript format or a summary report."
United have acknowledged the FA's statement and now hope the matter can be put behind them.
A United statement read: "Manchester United welcome the FA's acknowledgement of its concerns over the handling of the publication of the recent disciplinary hearing findings.
"While the club's view of the sentence handed to the player is well known, on this separate issue, we have been concerned on two counts: the effect on the reputation of some of our most highly regarded and respected members of staff and the possible effect on the willingness of people to assist the FA in the future with their investigations.
"The club acknowledge the desirability of more transparency in the disciplinary process, but only on a consistent basis - both in publication and in verdict.
"The club accept there was no intention to harm the reputations of Michael Phelan, Richard Hartis and others, but feel the episode has potentially created an atmosphere in which people in the game will be reluctant to volunteer information if they believe their careers may suffer as a result of helping the FA.
"The staff involved have exemplary careers as professionals at the top of the game and Michael in particular has been associated with the club for most of the last 20 years - and in that time he has consistently demonstrated himself to be a man of the highest integrity.
"The club consider the matter is now closed."
It led to FA chairman Lord Triesman and United chief executive David Gill meeting in Tokyo during the FIFA Club World Cup - and both parties hoping to draw a line under the saga.
An FA statement read: "On reviewing the decision to publish, the FA have provided assurances that in future all participants will be made fully aware prior to any hearing that all evidence provided should be done so in the knowledge that it could be made public.
"The FA have also given a commitment that it will ensure appropriate measures will be in place to prevent information being publicised following disciplinary hearings, before clubs are notified of any formal decisions from hearings or intention to publicise findings.
"The FA regret that those involved in providing evidence at the hearing concerning Manchester United's Patrice Evra's charge were not verbally advised that their words would be publicised before, and after giving evidence.
"Additionally, the FA have also made clear it is regrettable that it did not extend the courtesy generally provided to clubs, to advise Manchester United - in advance - that the written findings from the disciplinary hearing of December 4/5, would be made public.
"The FA acknowledge that it is has not been normal procedure for written findings to be published previously, and that there have only been a small number of cases when they have been.
"The fact that they were on the FA's official website on Monday 15 December, before Manchester United had notified the FA of their decision not to exercise their right to appeal against the four-match suspension imposed on Patrice Evra, has also been acknowledged by the FA.
"While doing so, the FA have made it clear they stand by the decision of the independent commission, and the decision to publish the written findings of the hearing, although in this case a summary may have been more appropriate, due to those who provided evidence not being made aware that they would be doing so publicly and also that individuals' reputations have been publicly called into question through doing so.
"We should also make clear that Manchester United's Mike Phelan and Richard Hartis appeared and gave evidence at the hearing following a request from the FA, not because Manchester United had made any complaint.
"Moving forward, the FA remain committed to a consistent, transparent process of publicising findings from disciplinary hearings, with the commission chairman's approval - either in full transcript format or a summary report."
United have acknowledged the FA's statement and now hope the matter can be put behind them.
A United statement read: "Manchester United welcome the FA's acknowledgement of its concerns over the handling of the publication of the recent disciplinary hearing findings.
"While the club's view of the sentence handed to the player is well known, on this separate issue, we have been concerned on two counts: the effect on the reputation of some of our most highly regarded and respected members of staff and the possible effect on the willingness of people to assist the FA in the future with their investigations.
"The club acknowledge the desirability of more transparency in the disciplinary process, but only on a consistent basis - both in publication and in verdict.
"The club accept there was no intention to harm the reputations of Michael Phelan, Richard Hartis and others, but feel the episode has potentially created an atmosphere in which people in the game will be reluctant to volunteer information if they believe their careers may suffer as a result of helping the FA.
"The staff involved have exemplary careers as professionals at the top of the game and Michael in particular has been associated with the club for most of the last 20 years - and in that time he has consistently demonstrated himself to be a man of the highest integrity.
"The club consider the matter is now closed."
Copyright (c) Press Association
Related Articles
Postecoglou looking to A-League to 'develop young talent'
.jpeg&h=172&w=306&c=1&s=1)
Big change set to give Socceroos star new lease on life in the EPL
