Newcastle call for change in FA rules after Callum McManaman goes unpunished
Tuesday 19 March 2013 21:02, UK
Image:Massadio Haidara: No timescale on Newcastle defender's recovery
Newcastle will ask the Football Association to change its disciplinary rules after learning Callum McManaman is facing no action for his tackle on Massadio Haidara.
No retrospective action
A statement from the Football Association said that "because at least one of the match officials saw the coming together, though not the full extent of the challenge" no further action can be taken.
The statement read: "Following consultation with the game's stakeholders in the summer, it was agreed that retrospective action should only be taken in respect of incidents which have not been seen by the match officials.
"Where one of the officials has seen a coming together of players, no retrospective action should be taken, regardless of whether he or she witnessed the full or particular nature of the challenge. This is to avoid the re-refereeing of incidents.
"In the case of McManaman, it has been confirmed that at least one of the match officials saw the coming together, though not the full extent of the challenge. In these circumstances retrospective action cannot be taken.
"The principal objective behind the not seen policy is to address off the ball incidents where match officials are unlikely to be in a position to witness misconduct."
