Tuesday, 11th February, 2014
The Football Association's decision to not ban Yaya Toure has not gone down well with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who feels a very dangerous precedent is being set.
Toure was facing a three-match ban for an apparent kick-out at Norwich City's Ricky van Wolfswinkel last weekend.
mobile ad
The Ivorian, however, was let off by the FA's retrospective action panel and is now available for Manchester City.
Mourinho's claims could partly be down to the fact that Chelsea play Manchester City in the FA Cup this weekend, which Toure would have missed.
relatedNewsStory
However, Mourinho took a wider view of possible FA inaction, explaining at a press conference via Chelsea TV, before the news of no FA action emerged: "If he is not suspended, the message is clear: the players can do what they want if the referee doesn't see.
"If there's no suspension, the message is normally that, if the FA defends football, he would have to be suspended.
"It's the same for everyone: if the referee doesn't see, I can do whatever. It doesn't matter about cameras or others seeing. I can do whatever I want."
While Norwich boss Chris Hughton had played down the enormity of the incident after the game, Van Wolfswinkel was even more gracious yesterday.
Following news that Toure would not be punished, van Wolfswinkel wrote on his Twitter page: "Good to see Toure not getting suspended. Players like him belong on the pitch! What happens at Carrow Road stays at Carrow Road.
"Things happen on the pitch. But we all enjoy watching him play. So get on with it and enjoy the football. That's what it's all about."
Don't bet on football until you've visited Inside Bet! Interesting markets, top tips, betting facts – get all the info before you bet.
