The FA have confirmed that Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien will not face any further disciplinary action for his challenge on Bolton's Tal Ben Haim.

The Ghana star received only a yellow card for an ugly lunge on Bolton's Israeli defender during The Blues' 5-1 win at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

However, referee Rob Styles agreed to review the incident after widespread criticism of the challenge.

The official is understood to have informed The FA that he would have dismissed Essien if he had seen the challenge from a different angle at which point they approached Fifa to ascertain whether the caution could be upgraded to a red card.

However, world football's governing body expressed concern at the trend of changing decisions retrospectively and have subsequently asked for referees' decisions not to be changed.

It will be a big relief to Chelsea who would have lost Essien for three games if his punishment had been increased.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho has moved to defend the £24.4 summer signing from Lyon and rubbished suggestions made by Bolton boss Sam Allardyce that he attempted to feign injury to escape being sent off by Styles.

"Essien is a great player," said Mourinho. "He's a fair player and a player with an incredible record on disciplinary issues. He is a very clean player."

When asked whether the player tried to trick Styles, Mourinho responded: "Of course not. You can say that for sure."



this tackle was ugly and had it been anyone else, they'd have got banned. fucking cheats

that was dark red

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by Ian^ However, world football's governing body expressed concern at the trend of changing decisions retrospectively and have subsequently asked for referees' decisions not to be changed.

Why do the FA wait for something that involves a Chelsea player to 'express concern' and ask for the ref's decision not to be changed? If it had been the other way round no doubt Tal Ben Haim would be facing a ban right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Kato Why do the FA wait for something that involves a Chelsea player to 'express concern' and ask for the ref's decision not to be changed? If it had been the other way round no doubt Tal Ben Haim would be facing a ban right now.

exactly. It should be the same rule for all, and I don't see that now, if they don't want ref's to be changing decisions all the time they should make sure they're actually fit to be out there making them in the first place.

i agree

___________________
if you are gonna spam your site here, at least provide a link on your site to www.tranceaddict.com

the FA should suspend this season's championship + cup and hand them to chelsea, it will save a lot of time and money.

by the way Ian any team with Jaidi in the defense sucks

___________________
"A style that's impossible to define. Prog? Hardly. Tech house? Not boring enough. It's like trippy twisted acid house but deep and funky. See, I told you - impossible."

quote:

Originally posted by fastmp3 the FA should suspend this season's championship + cup and hand them to chelsea, it will save a lot of time and money. by the way Ian any team with Jaidi in the defense sucks

Jaidi is a defender who's scored more goals than all the 'creative' moroccans we've ever had here, you know, Safri, Hadji etc

It used to be that Man United were always the FA's favourites. Things change I guess.

___________________
"No offense, but you're stupid"

quote:

Originally posted by Ian^ Jaidi is a defender who's scored more goals than all the 'creative' moroccans we've ever had here, you know, Safri, Hadji etc

Jaidi should stick to his job and do it properly

i'll shit over britain

smitty : E-V-E-R-T-O-N in the Championship next year

___________________
"A style that's impossible to define. Prog? Hardly. Tech house? Not boring enough. It's like trippy twisted acid house but deep and funky. See, I told you - impossible."

31 games left wanker! brag when it's all over.

___________________
"No offense, but you're stupid"