Tottenham manager escapes punishment over referee comments

LONDON - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp received a warning but no punishment by the Football Association for his comments about referee Mark Clattenburg following his side’s defeat against Manchester United last weekend.

Redknapp described the decision to allow a goal by Nani to stand as “a farce” and said the referee and officials had colluded to ensure their story was straight after the match.

The controversy surrounding Nani’s goal came when Tottenham goalkeeper Huerelho Gomes put the ball down for what he believed was a free kick against Nani for hand-ball.

But Nani then slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 to United and the goal was allowed to stand.

“When they get in their room, and I have said it before, that they would always make sure that they sing from the same hymn sheet,” Redknapp said after the match.

“Clattenburg, in private, has said to somebody that I know, for a fact, that he made a mess, really. When the reports go in, all the assistants back up Clattenburg.

“They all get together and make a decision - it is a fact. If it is a fact which people do not like. What can I do about that? It is a fact,” he said.