Andre Villas-Boas slams English football’s governing body after Torres reprieve.
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas has branded the FA’s decision not to punish Fernando Torres for grabbing Jan Vertonghen’s face ‘a joke’ and ‘a disgrace’.
The Chelsea striker appeared to scratch the Belgian during the 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane on Saturday but the FA confirmed on Tuesday they would not take action against the Spaniard.
Torres, 29, was dismissed in the second half for two bookable offences and will serve a one match domestic ban but Villas-Boas feels the FA should have further punished the forward.
“It’s extremely difficult to know where to start. Obviously, it’s almost a farcical decision. It doesn’t matter to me which player or club is involved.
“Neither do I want to with my words put into question Fernando’s integrity; neither their manager’s in trying to defend our position. I think the FA has made a decision that’s almost a joke. It looks incredible.
“How can you see the images and come out without punishment on something that overtakes all professional behaviour?”
He added: “I think the decision is a disgrace. If the committee can’t solve such clear images I don’t think it sets a good first example. We’re not asking nobody to retract themselves; the player to retract themselves. That would not be fair.
“This is a competition and in the end they came up with what they thought was fair for that.
“We don’t want Fernando suspended because it can make them weaker because their bench is so strong, whoever comes in for them makes them even strong, but I think the FA has lost the opportunity to put some sense into the images everybody saw.
“I’m grateful for ex-refs to be able to enlighten people a little bit more, though I think most of you guys saw the incident as something that is no tolerable in football.”
Villas-Boas was speaking just outside Moscow ahead of Tottenham’s Europa League clash with Anzhi Makhachkala on Thursday.
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