Leeds manager David O'Leary has escaped further punishment by the Football Association, after angrily remonstrating with referee Paul Durkin during Sunday's bitter Elland Road clash with Chelsea. O'Leary was left fuming with the officials, after Graeme Le Saux was only handed a yellow card for a horrific two-footed lunge on Danny Mills on the stroke of half time.
Durkin, who was confronted in the tunnel by O'Leary, immediately banished the 43-year-old Irishman to the stands for the second half. O'Leary was fully expecting to attend an FA disciplinary hearing, and was prepared to argue his case against a potential touchline ban given his actions, but has escaped further punishment by the FA.
Spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "In receiving Paul Durkin's match report from Sunday's Leeds versus Chelsea Premier League match, the FA have written to David O'Leary to explain that while reference was made to his conduct towards match officials during the half-time interval, we believe his exclusion from the technical area for the second half of the game was sufficient punishment. No further action will be taken against David O'Leary."
Bevington added: "On reflection, Paul Durkin has made it clear that he is personally disappointed to have misinterpreted the serious nature of the challenge between Graeme Le Saux and Danny Mills. However, the FA would like to make it clear that no retrospective action can be taken following the game in which the referee has made a clear decision on the field of play."
Filed by John Raftery
