DERBY County manager Nigel Clough says he has nothing to apologise for following the stoppage-time melee at the end of Saturday's clash with Nottingham Forest.

Forest boss Billy Davies claimed he was deliberately kneed in the back of the leg by Clough during a mass brawl which involved players and coaching staff of both teams.

Clough denies the allegations and said in yesterday's Derby Telegraph if there was any contact, it was accidental.

Davies has spoken to his lawyer and made an official complaint to the League Managers' Association.

"I don't think there is anything to apologise for," said Clough.

"I have explained the situation of what happened and as far as we are concerned that is it.

"If somebody else takes it further, then they take it further."

The Football Association has charged both clubs with failing to control their players.

They have until February 17 to respond to the charges.

Derby and Forest each have a suspended fine of £10,000 hanging over them following a melee at the end of the game at the City Ground in August.

"We feel we were provoked at the City Ground earlier this season and what started it off on Saturday was three red shirts converging on Jay McEveley," said Clough.

"The last thing we want is confrontation but we don't expect our team-mates and staff to stand around and do nothing.

"No punches were thrown or anything, all we did was react to three Forest players converging on Jay McEveley.

"It was just a matter of supporting your team-mate and it probably looked a lot worse than it was.

"Also, if the referee and the linesman had given the throw-in a bit quicker, it might not have happened.

"They did not know which way to give the throw.

"It was actually our ball and Jay was about to take the throw-in when the decision changed."

Davies described Clough's alleged actions as "a bit cowardly".

Clough said: "I have been called worse in the last 30 years, a lot worse.

"Have you seen Steve Evans (manager) at Crawley Town? When you have been in the next dugout to Steve Evans, this is all pretty tame."

Clough said nothing had changed despite Davies claiming their relationship had been good before Clough became Rams manager.

"Nothing has changed as far as we are concerned. I think in the last five meetings (Derby v Forest) or whatever, Billy has not spoken one word after the game," said Clough.

"Has he come in for a cup of tea after games? No."

Clough attended a media event yesterday when the Rams announced they are to donate clothes from the club's shop to victims of the Haiti Earthquake disaster.

He was happy to answer questions on Davies' claims.

Clough said discipline and good behaviour is integral to the way he wants to play the game.

"Yes, it is," he said.

"Somehow we got six bookings at Plymouth last week, I'm not sure how, and we received five bookings on Saturday. When you look at our disciplinary record over the last 12 months it has been very good indeed.

"In local 'derbies' supporters expect a few tackles flying in but when you analyse it there wasn't too much going off. We committed 15 fouls, they (Forest) committed 16. You see fouls in the twenties in normal games."

Clough was asked if Derby are fined following Saturday's melee would he like to see the FA donate the money to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster Appeal?

"What we are going to do if we are fined say £25,000, we are going to ask each supporter against Newcastle on Tuesday to each put £1 in!" he joked.

The Telegraph has been trying to get a response from the LMA since Monday night.

Rams chief executive Tom Glick missed out on a place on the Football League's Board of Directors. The vacant position went to Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston.