BECKHAM TO ESCAPE PUNISHMENT

Last updated : 16 September 2002 By editor

Because referee Jeff Winter awarded a free-kick in Bowyer's favour, the FA deem that he dealt with the incident and are not expected to pursue the matter further.

Only a retrospective admission by Winter either verbally or in his match report that he had misjudged the challenge would prompt the FA to react.

An FA spokesman said: 'clearly we are awaiting Jeff Winter's report from the game.

'As with any decision made by a match referee during the course of a game, once they have taken action on the field - for example awarding a free-kick or a penalty or cautioning a player - then the decision has been taken. The only way therefore that a decision can be reversed or looked at further is if the match official advised the FA that he had not dealt with the issue in full.'