Football
PA Sport 8y

FA satisfied with ref Michael Oliver's decision not to card Yaya Toure

Referee Michael Oliver is set to escape censure for failing to send off Yaya Toure at the end of Manchester City's penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool in Sunday's Capital One Cup final.

Had Oliver applied the letter of the law, he ought to have issued Toure a second yellow card for removing his shirt as he wheeled away in triumph after stroking the winner past Simon Mignolet.

However, sources tell Press Association Sport that the Football Association is satisfied that Oliver took the common-sense approach given the nature of the incident and the fact the game had finished.

Earlier, Oliver had issued a yellow card to Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho after the Brazilian took off his shirt in the process of celebrating his 83rd-minute equaliser.

Generally speaking, despite widespread criticism of the ruling, the FA and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have been rigid in its application.

The current FIFA rule, established in 2004, states: "A player who removes his jersey after scoring a goal will be cautioned for unsporting behaviour.

"Removing one's shirt after scoring is unnecessary and players should avoid such excessive displays of joy."

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