FA dismisses Ferguson racial abuse allegations

The Everton striker Duncan Ferguson will not be charged by the Football Association over accusations that he racially abused Fulham's Luis Boa Morte.

The Everton striker Duncan Ferguson will not be charged by the Football Association over accusations that he racially abused Fulham's Luis Boa Morte.

Fulham had lodged a complaint on Boa Morte's behalf following the teams' FA Cup fourth-round tie at Goodison Park in January. However, a statement on the FA website said: "The FA can announce that it found insufficient evidence to charge Mr Ferguson, following allegations of racial abuse by Fulham player Luis Boa Morte."

Ferguson, however, has pleaded guilty to charges of violent behaviour and improper conduct during Everton's match at Leicester on 20 March. The Scot grabbed Leicester's Steffen Freund by the throat as he left the field after being sent off at the Walkers Stadium.

The Wimbledon defender Warren Barton has called time on his playing career and is also retiring from his role as the chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

Barton, 35, returned to his old club to help the Dons out following the sale of a number of players by administrators. But the full-back has decided to concentrate on coaching.

"I have had a wonderful career, but it is time to call it a day," he said. "I am in the middle of taking my Uefa 'A' coaching badge, and it is time to move on to something else."

Barton will be succeeded at the PFA by his Dons team-mate Dean Holdsworth.