Reid fined £1,000 but escapes ban as McClaren gets future warning

Mark Bradley

Reid was alleged to have elbowed Gronkjaer in the stomach as they tangled while waiting for a corner to be delivered during Blackburn's 3-3 draw against Birmingham on November 21.

Referee Neale Barry missed the incident but it was captured by televisions cameras and the FA launched disciplinary action after reviewing video replays.

However, with Reid having avoided a serious charge of violent conduct, a disciplinary commission yesterday resolved that the 23-year-old Republic of Ireland international would not have to serve any suspension.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren was warned as to his future conduct after admitting a charge of improper conduct following a confrontation with referee Phil Dowd at White Hart Lane.

McClaren requested a personal hearing to defend his actions in complaining to Dowd after Franck Queudrue's red card at Tottenham on November 28.

While he admitted the charge, the disciplinary commission yesterday took into account his previous good behaviour, as well as his guilty plea.

Queudrue was shown a straight red card five minutes before half-time during the game at White Hart Lane, which ended in a 2-0 victory to Spurs, McLaren went onto the pitch at half-time to protest to Dowd and those actions led to his FA charge.

He nevertheless insisted last month: "I felt it was very unjust. If finger-wagging makes me guilty, then I'm guilty. But of anything else foul and abusive language there was none of that.

"I didn't swear at the referee so I'll go down and state my case.

"I just stated my opinion at half-time and entered the field of play to keep the players away from the referee."