Warnock excused by FA after outburst

Warnock was quite justly furious when his side were refused a goal (NEIL EVERITT)

Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock has escaped punishment for his reaction following last weekend's clash at Bristol City but the Football Association have written to Simon Jordan asking him to explain his comments.

Palace were denied a perfectly valid goal by referee Rob Shoebridge during Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship match at Ashton Gate, leaving Warnock and club chairman Jordan furious.

It is understood that Warnock's comments were deemed as criticising the performance of the referee rather than a personal attack on Shoebridge.

The exceptional circumstances of the 'goal' were also thought to be taken into account.

While Warnock's comments were immediately after the 1-0 defeat, Jordan's comments suggesting Bristol City players had cheated were considered to be pre-meditated. The Palace chairman could face an improper conduct and fine if found guilty.

The FA have also written to Roy Keane after the Ipswich boss, ahead of the clash against Palace on Tuesday, said he hoped the referee would not feel any urge to do the visitors a favour because they had been the victims of an awful decision four days earlier.

There are new rules about pre-match comments about referees but Keane could get away with a warning as he is the first manager to fall foul of the rule.