Taylor escapes extra sanction after Ronaldo clash

Newcastle’s Steven Taylor will not face any further disciplinary punishment after being booked during the 2-1 loss to Premier League leaders Manchester United on Wednesday, the FA have announced.

Taylor appeared to foul Cristiano Ronaldo in the first-half before following up with another strong challenge on Michael Carrick.

However, referee Steve Bennett told the Football Association here Thursday that Taylor’s yellow card was for the foul on Carrick.

After watching video footage, Bennett said he wold have booked Taylor for the Ronaldo challenge as well.

That in turn would have led to the England Under-21 captain being sent-off for two bookable offences.

However, under the rules of world football governing body FIFA, the FA cannot change punishments that would have involved two yellow cards as opposed to a single red.

The FA have also decided not to investigate further reports of a verbal half-time spat in the St James’ Park tunnel between Taylor and United striker Wayne Rooney, saying the incident was not serious enough to warrant action.