Rio Ferdinand escapes FA action over Cup run-in with Fernando Torres

• No charge for Manchester United defender after FA Cup tie
• Future team-mate Wilfried Zaha on improper conduct rap

by Jamie Jackson 2 months ago

Rio Ferdinand will face no action from the Football Association for his push on Fernando Torres during Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

Wilfried Zaha, the United winger who is on loan at Crystal Palace, has been charged with improper conduct for an alleged gesture towards Leeds United fans on Saturday. Ian Holloway, the Palace manager, faces the sanction of alleged misconduct to match officials during the same match.

If Ferdinand had been charged and found guilty he would have incurred a minimum three-match ban, meaning he would almost certainly have missed the replay of the quarter-final and the Manchester derby early in April.

Howard Webb, the referee, had his back turned when Ferdinand appeared to push and trip Torres but it is thought there was not enough video footage to make a definitive judgment.

Regarding Zaha and Holloway, an FA statement said: "Wilfried Zaha has today been charged by the FA for improper conduct in relation to an alleged gesture he made towards Leeds United supporters during Crystal Palace's game on Saturday 9 March 2013.

"Also in relation to the same game, the Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has been charged for alleged misconduct towards the match officials. Both Zaha and Holloway have until 4pm on Friday 15 March to respond to the charge."

Zaha's charge is similar to the one received by Liverpool's Luis Suárez in January of last year after he made an offensive hand gesture following a 1-0 defeat at Fulham in December 2011. The striker pleaded guilty and received a one-game ban and was fined £20,000.

After the incident on Saturday Zaha apologised, so this may be taken in mitigation by the FA's Independent Commission. Holloway may face a fine and/or a touchline ban.

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Cronbot

(Arsenal)

2 months ago

wasn't the headline last week about him escaping sanctions over clapping in the ref's face after they lost to madrid? yet again I suppose. I don't mind Rio but classless stuff away from the ball needs a penalty pure and simple. 'it is thought there was not enough video footage to make a definitive judgment'-- ???

Acphenom

(Manchester United)

2 months ago

No idea why Rio did that. He had a Terry-Sanchez moment, and should be punished, but the footage is quite limited. He needs to show more maturity, regardless.