Video procedure still criticised despite all-clear for Henry

THE Football Association announced yesterday that no action would be taken against Thierry Henry for alleged use of an elbow against Charlton’s John Robinson, but insisted there were no plans to change the way incidents were reviewed, despite criticism from leading club managers.

The FA's original decision to investigate the incident involving the Arsenal striker came at the same time as an

announcement that David Beckham would escape censure for an apparently more serious use of the elbow on Leeds' Lee Bowyer.

The reasoning was that referee Jeff Winter had awarded a free kick against Beckham at Elland Road, but the clash at The Valley was not seen by referee Steve Dunn.

Henry and Beckham have now escaped further action, with the FA not sending the matter for consideration by the Video Advisory Panel.

However, that has not prevented the managers of Arsenal and Leeds, Arsene Wenger and Terry Venables, criticising procedures.

An FA spokesman said: "To clarify the difference between the two incidents, with regard to the one involving David Beckham, the referee saw the incident and took action accordingly on the field of play.

"In the case of the incident involving Thierry Henry, it was not seen by the referee, and therefore, the FA may

investigate further, but in this case, they have decided that no further action is necessary," he said.

It is understood that no review of disciplinary procedures was thought to be necessary by the FA.

The FA view it as imperative not to undermine referees' decisions where they have seen an incident, but to act as a watchdog where a match official has missed something.

The only way further action can be taken in an incident already dealt with by a referee is if the official calls for such measures in his match report.

Venables said: "I'm a believer, like everybody else, in consistency. We've either got to do them, or do none of them.

"If we have a video facility and we're going to use it, then they have all got to be used or not at all. That way

everyone media, fans, players will know where they stand.

"At the moment, it's a toss of a coin and you think 'Well, I wonder what is going to happen now'. There's just no consistency at the moment."

Henry had been supported by John Robinson, while the French striker insisted he had just ''pushed back with my arm'' while his shirt was being pulled.

Wenger wants the FA to introduce an automatic review of all such incidents, as happens in France, to end the "illogical" differences in the system.

Meanwhile, Dennis Bergkamp has declared himself ready to embark on a European road trip to guide Arsenal to the Champions League final to cap what he believes is his best chance of winning the competition.

The opening group stage of the competition was seemingly hand-picked for the Dutchman, who does not fly, as it involves trips to Holland, France and Germany.

Even the final is in Manchester but Wenger must decide before next week's first away fixture at PSV Eindhoven whether to select Bergkamp.

The problem is that the trip takes that much longer as a result, with Arsenal facing Premiership games on Saturday against Bolton and then a week later away to Leeds in a midday kick-off.

Wenger has tended to use Kanu away from home in Europe.

Bergkamp was taken only to Bayer Leverkusen last season, where he sat on the bench.

"I'm always available and I've told the manager that. It's in his hands now. I certainly know the way to Eindhoven," Bergkamp declared.