Van Persie, Tiote and Huth avoid FA charge
It is understood match referee Howard Webb did not see the incident during the game, but on reviewing television evidence he did not deem it worthy of a sending-off offence, so no further action will be taken.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said after the game that he felt the incident warranted further investigation, saying: “He has looked at Yohan and he has elbowed him, and I think that perhaps needs to be looked at, if I am honest.
“There’s a bit of history from last year and I don’t know if Robin has been caught up in that, but that was just a little bit unsavoury.
“I didn’t see it myself, but I have obviously seen it on the replay and it looks like he has looked at him and put his elbow there.”
The “history” referred to by Pardew was an incident involving Van Persie, then an Arsenal player, and Newcastle’s Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul which took place last season.
No action will be taken either in regard to Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote, who appeared to stamp on Tom Cleverley’s leg, or to Stoke defender Robert Huth, who was involved in a similar incident with Liverpool forward Luis Suarez.
In both cases, the incidents were seen by officials at the time and therefore no further action can be taken.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers later has hit out at the unjust “vilification” of Suarez after more diving allegations were levelled at him. Only a couple of weeks ago the Northern Irishman felt the need to not only to speak out publicly about the treatment the Uruguay international was receiving on the pitch but also raise the subject with referees’ chief Mike Riley.
In Sunday’s goalless draw at home to Stoke, Suarez went down theatrically in the penalty area which led to Potters manager Pulis called for three-match bans for players who dive.
The FA’s decision on Huth has left Rodgers outraged. “At this moment there seems to be one set of rules for Luis and another set for everyone else. Diving and simulation is obviously a wider issue in football and one that we all agree has to be eradicated from our game but there were other incidents this weekend that didn’t seem to generate the same coverage.
“No-one should be distracted by the real issue here, both at Anfield and at another game played on Sunday, when Luis and another player were hurt in off-the-ball incidents that went unpunished but were caught on TV cameras.
“I believe some people need to develop a sense of perspective and I also believe in this moment the vilification of Luis is both wrong and unfair. I will continue to protect the values, spirit and people of this great club and game while searching for a consistent level of results in order to make progress on the field.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
