Cech escapes FA rap

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will not face any disciplinary action from the Football Association following his outspoken comments about referee Graham Poll.

Cech had criticised Poll after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw at Highbury last month, claiming he had reneged on a promise to blow his whistle before Thierry Henry’s quickly-taken free-kick.

The FA investigated reports that Cech had accused Poll of “cheating” his side, as well as joking that the referee “must be an Arsenal fan“.

In doing so, they reviewed other translations of the same interview, which indicated Cech had not actually used the word “cheat” in his native language.

And having spoken to the Czech reporter who had telephoned the Chelsea keeper after the game, they also found out that the interview had not been tape recorded.

In an echo of the David Beckham case after his admission that he got booked on purpose against Wales, the FA therefore concluded there was no firm evidence against the Chelsea keeper.