Huddlestone to escape FA charge

Tom Huddlestone will not face any disciplinary action for an alleged stamp on Bolton’s Johan Elmander, the Football Association (FA) confirmed Monday.

England midfielder Huddlestone appeared to stamp on Wanderers striker Elmander during Tottenham’s 4-2 Premier League loss at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

“We can confirm there will be no action taken against Tom Huddlestone,” an FA spokesman said.

The decision was taken after referee Chris Foy confirmed he had seen the incident although, even if officials do not see an incident in full ‘live’, FIFA rules prohibit a national governing body such as the FA from using video evidence to deliver a retrospective punishment.

Huddlestone has now avoided a possible three-match ban for violent conduct and is available for Tuesday’s game against Sunderland.

Earlier on Monday, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insisted he had not seen the incident.

“I’m going to say something that you probably don’t even believe: I never even saw it – and I still haven’t seen it,” Redknapp insisted.

“I’ll go outside and I’ll watch it right now, but I genuinely haven’t seen the challenge.”

Redknapp added: “I know there are a few managers that say they didn’t see what happened, and I’m not becoming one of them but I never saw what happened.”

Television pictures appeared to show Huddlestone’s left foot making contact with Elmander’s chest.

Redknapp said Bolton representatives were satisfied any contact had not been intentional. “I spoke to them afterwards and they said they felt it was an accident,” he explained.