Hughes warned by the FA after gamble on Redknapp

The Football Association has confirmed that the Portsmouth midfielder Richard Hughes has been cleared of passing on "inside information" after betting on the manager Harry Redknapp's return to Fratton Park from Southampton last December.

Hughes was interviewed by the FA's compliance department as part of an eight-month investigation into an alleged betting sting on the manager's appointment. They have twice interviewed Redknapp and the outgoing Portsmouth chairman, Milan Mandaric, who said that he had instigated the latest meeting last week in an attempt finally to take the heat off his manager.

Hughes' wager was uncovered after Betfair, the betting exchange firm, handed in details of all bets placed in the 24 hours before Redknapp's return, but the Scottish international midfielder received only a stern warning.

An FA spokesman said: "There is no suggestion that Richard Hughes had inside information and passed it on to others, but he was reminded of his responsibilities with regard to the rules about players betting."

FA regulations state a player, manager or director may not bet on any match or competition in which their club are involved or which they can influence, nor are they allowed to pass on inside information about transfers or appointments for betting purposes.

The FA compliance unit has warned that its investigation into the Portsmouth case continues.

Portsmouth have failed to sign the South Korean winger Lee Chun Soo on loan, according to the player's agent. "Portsmouth made an official loan offer for Lee Chun Soo," Han Jae-woon said. "But the player has said he will not go."

Han said Lee, 25, who spent 18 months in Spain with Real Sociedad and Numancia, and has most recently been with the Korean club Ulsan Tigers, had not revealed his reasons.