FA let Boateng off. Again
Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng has avoided Football Association disciplinary action for the second time in a month after his clash with Gianfranco Zola during his side's defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Even though Boateng's arm clearly poleaxed Zola during the 1-0 defeat on November 16, referee Phil Dowd did not see the incident so the FA were unable to act.
A statement on their website, www.theFA.com, read: "No action will be taken against George Boateng following Chelsea's game against Middlesbrough.
"This follows confirmation from the match referee, Phil Dowd, that he did see the challenge made by George Boateng on Gianfranco Zola and decided no action was merited. The matter is therefore closed."
Boateng has been putting himself about of late and also avoided FA punishment earlier this month after clashing with Nick Barmby during Boro's game against Leeds on October 26.
On that occasion, following a melee at the end of the game, the FA sent a typically stern warning letter to both clubs rather than singling out individual players.
The FA, meanwhile, also confirmed that they had received formal notification from Chelsea of an appeal against Celestine Babayaro's red card against Bolton last weekend.
The FA statement added: "Video evidence is now being looked at by the video advisory panel and we await their recommendation."
Chelsea had asked Bolton for help in their attempt to prove that Babayaro was innocent of the elbow offence for which he was given a red card at the Reebok Stadium.
Chelsea's irate Nigerian defender yesterday accused Youri Djorkaeff of acting to get him sent off, for which he could serve a three-match ban.
"If I had touched him," he seethed, "he wouldn't have been able to stand up. He would have been lying there for a few minutes."