Watch free live football streams, live TV

Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe FIFA will ever launch a crack down to rid football of the scourge of diving.

The Manchester United boss has admitted he "had a word" with Ashley Young earlier this week after a couple of incidents over the past fortnight that led to the England winger receiving widespread condemnation.

It was suggested at the time action should be brought against players guilty of diving, with many people feeling it has gone too far.

The sight of Chelsea's matchwinner Didier Drogba writhing around at regular stages of his side's otherwise superb Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday just added more fuel to the debate.

However, Ferguson believes it is a pointless argument.

Legendary Brazilian Rivaldo was once fined £5,180 by FIFA for blatantly getting Turkey's Hakan Usal sent off during the 2002 World Cup by simulating that the ball had hit him in the face when in fact his opponent had kicked it against his leg.

But there have been other woeful examples, most recently Kader Keita's theatrical fall after running into Kaka that got the Brazilian superstar sent off at the last World Cup that have never attracted the world governing body's attention.

"The only been one case I can remember of a player being retrospectively punished, was Rivaldo," said Ferguson.

"I can't remember another player ever being punished for acting.

"It doesn't lie with the clubs, it is FIFA and UEFA.

"But there are a load of things we ask them for, including goal-line technology, and nothing's ever done.

"It doesn't bother me one way or the other because I don't think it will happen."

The problem won't get better until players start to get penalties and free-kicks despite attempting to remain on their feet.

Ferguson cites the example of Ryan Giggs' paltry record of gaining just five penalties as proof referees' reluctance to reward such behaviour.

"Ryan Giggs has been here for 20 years and got five penalties. Do you know why? Because his balance is so good," said Ferguson.

"Last week, if the player doesn't bring Ashley down he is going to score. It was a clear goalscoring opportunity.

"He did overdo the attempt to get a penalty but I watched Real Madrid and Bayern Munich the other night and it was absolutely ridiculous, players were diving and rolling about, nothing like what Young has been accused of.

"You see the other night in the Chelsea game, we are in an age where you expect it now."

Ferguson does believe there is an element of Young being made a scapegoat because of the United connection.

However, as with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo in the past, he has felt it necessary to speak with the winger about his conduct.

"People have reacted because it is Manchester United," said Ferguson.

"I have had a word with Ashley. He understands where we are coming from. Hopefully it makes a difference."

Young's actions have been part of a wider debate about refereeing standards, and whether big clubs are getting the majority of close decisions.

Ferguson has always insisted that is not true, a stance he is sticking to.

"If it is a penalty it is a penalty," he said.

"We didn't get one against Wigan during the week but we didn't scream from the rooftops about it. It happens.

"We got one given against us for Newcastle, we didn't scream about that either. You get bad decisions and good ones.

"Believe me, it does even itself out. Everyone is the same."