FA Chairman David Bernstein has condemned the incidents that took place during Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium.

Bernstein spoke following yesterday's announcement that The FA would be investigating the incident which saw Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand struck by a coin thrown from the crowd.

And following a number of incidents in recent weeks, Bernstein described such situations as 'deplorable' in an interview with Sky Sports News.

He said: "To see Rio Ferdinand with blood on his face was absiolutely terrible.

"And it's also sad because it was such a fantastic match and then followed by the headlines that we've seen this morning.

"I think it's disturbing that we've seen a recurrence of these sort of incidents.

"We've had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion and things being thrown at players. It's very unacceptable and they have to be dealt with severely."

Bernstein now wants clubs and authorities to join together and ensure that anyone found guilty of these offences will receive the ultimate punishment.

"It's for The FA, the whole game of football and for the authorities to work together and deal with this in the most severe manner," he added.

"I believe that if necessary, these people need to go to the court and be banned for life, if they're found out.

"It's important that matters are brought to a head and people understand that there is no room for this in football at all, and we'll do everything we can within The FA.

"I know the rest of football feels the same, it's a blot on the game."