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Liverpool star Raheem Sterling escapes retrospective action for Fernandez slap
LIVERPOOL forward Raheem Sterling will not face retrospective action for pushing Swansea defender Federico Fernandez in the face after tangling with the Argentinian defender in the closing stages of the game.
Raheem Sterling will not face punishment for his slap on Federico Fernandez
The Football Association confirmed that the incident was seen by at least one of the match officials at Anfield so no further action would be taken.
The news will come as welcome relief for Brendan Rodgers and his team who appear to have turned a corner after two consecutive victories.
Sterling himself is only just beginning to recapture the form that catapulted him into the England squad last season, and a three match ban would surely have been detrimental to his resurgence.
Jonjo Shelvey - 'not seen by officials'; retrospective action. Raheem Sterling - seen by officials, took no action; no retrospective. #FA
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) December 30, 2014
No surprise Jonjo Shelvey has been banned by The FA following his elbow on Can. Raheem Sterling was lucky to escap... http://t.co/Mcr0PnkZ2b
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) December 30, 2014
Garry Monk defended the referee's decision immediately after the games, he said: "Yes, there is a motion towards Federico's face, but for me the referee and the linesman were the best placed people to see.
"The referee looked straight at it and decided it didn't warrant any action.
"Does it warrant a sending-off? Not for me, but again you have to trust that the referee's in the right place and doing the right thing."
Understand why Shelvey has be charged - but why not Sterling? Has someone got it in for Swansea Jose?!?
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) December 30, 2014
Match officials saw Raheem Sterling incident but did not take action. FA would only take retrospective action in 'extreme circumstances'.
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) December 30, 2014
Rodgers highlighted that his forward had been provoked by the Argentine defender, and agreed with Monk's sentiments.
He said: "Young Raheem's incident, the centre-half has slapped him on the side of the head and he has put his hand up and slapped him on the side of the head.
"I think the referee has called both right and got on with the game."