Meyler in the clear ahead of cup final

David Meyler is clear to play in the FA Cup final after escaping disciplinary action following his apparent stamp on Adnan Januzaj, the Manchester United winger.

Video replays showed Republic of Ireland midfielder Meyler treading on the teenager’s left shin during the second half of Tuesday night’s Premier League match at Old Trafford.

Meyler was fearing a violent conduct charge from the FA. That would have resulted in a three-match ban, ruling Meyler out of the cup final against Arsenal on May 17.

However, retrospective action can only be taken if the referee did not see the incident but referee Craig Pawson confirmed in his report that he was looking directly at the clash.

Pawson spoke to Meyler, who had already been booked, immediately after the challenge but did not show another card.

Meyler has made 40 appearances for Hull this season and is expected to start at Wembley.

He might consider himself fortunate to still have that chance.

Fulham’s Sascha Riether was banned for three matches for a similar incident — also involving Januzaj — in November.

German Riether accepted a charge of violent conduct after being charged retrospectively as referee Lee Probert did not see the offence at Craven Cottage.

Steve Bruce, the Hull manager, said he did not see any stamp on Tuesday night. United interim coach Ryan Giggs said he didn’t see it but called for Januzaj, 19, to be given more protection by officials.

Giggs said: “I didn’t see it but I have seen his leg. It’s terrible.

“It is the second time it has happened to him this season and it’s not great to see.

“He needs protecting, he is a brilliant player, he is exciting and the authorities need to stamp down on it, whether what can happen now, but it was bad.

“I have not seen the stamp but I have seen his leg and it is bad. It’s a joke.”