Moyes and Bruce escape FA action after referee outbursts

The Football Association will not take any action against Birmingham manager Steve Bruce or his Everton counterpart David Moyes after their comments about referees on Boxing Day.

Bruce was angered after Muzzy Izzet was sent off for a second bookable offence when referee Philip Dowd adjudged him to have dived in the 2-0 Premiership defeat at Tottenham.

The Blues manager branded Dowd's decision as "pathetic" and said his performance was "poor" but the FA will not be taking disciplinary action.

Moyes has also escaped censure after saying Mike Riley missed a deliberate handball in his side's 4-0 defeat at Aston Villa. Striker Milan Baros later admitted he had handled the ball in the build-up to his opening goal.

The FA is still considering whether to act over comments made by Charlton manager Alan Curbishley about Steve Bennett after his side's 1-0 defeat by Arsenal. Curbishley was highly critical of the official, who sent off Danny Murphy, suggesting that because he is based in nearby Kent he was wary of appearing biased and did not give them certain decisions.

"He is a local ref and perhaps it is something we have to look at," Curbishley said after the game. "He is not far from us and perhaps when they come into games refereeing their local teams, it is a bit difficult for them."