Rooney escapes Uefa sanction over 'stamp'

(GETTY IMAGES)

Wayne Rooney will not face any disciplinary action over an apparent stamp on Aalborg's Kasper Risgard last week. The European governing body Uefa decided not to charge Rooney after studying video evidence of the incident in the clubs' 2-2 Champions League draw on Wednesday.

Aalborg midfielder Risgard claimed Rooney should have been sent off after "jumping" on his chest and leaving marks on his body during an ugly tangle four minutes before half time. Rooney (right) could have faced a suspension for the two legs of United's first knockout stage round had Uefa's control and disciplinary body decided to take action on an incident which was not seen by French referee Laurent Duhamel but was still assessed using video evidence.

There was further relief for United, settling into their team hotel in Japan yesterday ahead of their World Club Championship matches, when it emerged that Cristiano Ronaldo would not face disciplinary action despite kicking out at Michael Dawson, the Tottenham Hotspur defender, at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Ronaldo appeared to flick his boot at Dawson after being tackled in the goalless draw, and although referee Mike Dean, who did not take action during the game, has looked at the incident, the FA will not take further action. "We contacted the referee, who has also confirmed he would not have sent the player off for violent conduct had he seen it," an FA spokesman said. "On that basis, no further action will be taken."

The club's chief executive David Gill rejected suggestions that the World Club Championship is merely an opportunity to field squad players. "We are taking it very seriously," he said.