FA await Mancini response

Roberto Mancini has until Friday afternoon to offer his observations about his comments regarding referee Kevin Friend following Manchester City's defeat at Sunderland on Boxing Day.

The Football Association wrote to Mancini following his claim that "maybe the referee ate too much for Christmas" after Friend missed what the City boss felt was a clear foul on Pablo Zabaleta in the build-up to Adam Johnson's winner.

Although over a week has now passed since the incident, the judicial panel granted Mancini's request for an extension due to the demands placed upon him during the packed festive period.

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