• Premier League

Fabregas escapes FA action after ref rant

February 2, 2011
David Moyes felt Cesc Fabregas should have been sent off for his rant at Lee Mason © PA Photos
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The English Football Association will be taking no action against Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas for remonstrating with referee Lee Mason, after the official made no mention of the incident in his match report.

Fabregas was irate after Mason's decision to allow Everton striker Louis Saha's opener to count, despite the Frenchman being stood in an offside position. According to Toffees boss David Moyes, Fabregas continued to angrily argue with the match officials at half-time, with the furious Scot claiming that the Gunners skipper's actions warranted a red card.

However, Arsene Wenger denied Fabregas had even spoken to the officials, stressing it was he and not the Spanish midfielder who had his say at the interval. And the FA has confirmed it received no extraordinary incident report from Mason of any confrontation involving Fabregas.

Fabregas has responded by admitting he is pleased to have escaped any punishment, insisting he respects the game's officials.

"There has been much talk about me saying things to the officials at half-time on Tuesday night," he told Arsenal's official website. "All I can say is that I have respect for all match officials. Their job is a very difficult one and their decisions are final.

"Yes, I was upset at half-time. So too were about 60,000 Arsenal supporters in the stadium. We were one-nil down against a very good Everton side to a goal which we felt was offside. Of course I am going to be upset. Players from both sides were saying things as we came off the pitch, and this always happens in football.

"I'm passionate about this club and like all the players want to win every single match, so many things are said in the heat of the moment. Clearly the officials feel that nothing serious happened, as I understand the referee has not included anything in his match report.

"I just want to focus on our next match, which is another big challenge at Newcastle on Saturday."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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