Manchester United v Real Madrid: Rio Ferdinand escapes Uefa action over 'sarcastic hand clap'

Proceedings likely to be brought against 'no show' Sir Alex Ferguson

Rio Ferdinand pictured in Manchester United's defeat to Real Madrid (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will not face any action over his conduct in his side's Champions League exit to Real Madrid.

At the final whistle of the game at Old Trafford, Ferdinand was seen sarcastically clapping his hands in the face of Cuneyt Cakir.

It came at the end of a game which turned on a decision by the Turkish referee to send off Nani when the midfielder came together with Alvaro Arbeloa. Manchester United's players hotly disputed the decision during the match while after the game many players, including Ferdinand, surrounded the referee.

However, Ferdinand has escaped any further action, with Uefa confirming the matter is closed after receiving Cakir's match report.

A Uefa spokesman said: "From the report we have received from the referee we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled."

Sir Alex Ferguson was too "distraught" to talk to the press after the match and faces a punishment for failing to meet his media obligations. He is still yet to speak publicly about the 3-2 aggregate defeat to Jose Mourinho's team.

Uefa's rules on post-match media obligations state: "Both clubs must make their manager/head coach available for this press conference.

"All players of both teams are obliged to pass through the mixed zone in order to conduct interviews with the media. Players must fulfil interview requests from audiovisual rights holders before conducting interviews for their club media platforms."