FA overturn Lampard’s ban

CHELSEA midfielder Frank Lampard has escaped a three-match ban after the FA overturned his red card against West Ham at the weekend.

The 29-year-old was dismissed in the first half at Upton Park for a clash with Luis Boa Morte, although referee Peter Walton told an FA regulatory commission he and his assistant made a mistake.

The commission had to decide whether a “serious and obvious” error had been made when Lampard was sent off for no more than a push in Boa Morte’s chest.

They also had to take into consideration referees being instructed that, while endangering an opponent warrants a red card, contact on or above the neck is deemed violent conduct under UEFA guidelines.

Lampard’s reprieve allows him to play against Barnsley in Saturday’s FA Cup and the Barclays Premier

League matches against Derby and Sunderland.