Source: FOOTYMAD
Barton's TV Blackout!
Ricardo Fuller has escaped punishment for his off-the-ball kick at Joey Barton - because TV cameras didn't capture the incident - or so the FA claim! It's amazing how the FA has footage of every incident when Barton 'breaks the rules' but they cannot track down on TV when he is the victim. But that's the FA for yer. The Football Association apparently launched an investigation after the incident was missed by referee Lee Mason, his assistants and the fourth official. Barton was suspended earlier in the season for punching Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pederson but the FA claim: "we couldn’t track down any footage". So that makes it alright then! An FA spokesman said: “We are mandated to enquire about incidents when they have been brought to our attention and we can confirm we received correspondence in relation to this matter. “But as with any retrospective incident, we can only bring action when there is evidence and although we made extensive efforts to track down footage from broadcasters we have found that none exists. “We have exhausted efforts to obtain footage which we could allow us to consider the matter and on that basis we will not be bringing any charges. “We appreciate the views of those who took the time to contact us be we cannot bring a charge where there is no evidence, as we would have to prove any charge at an independent commission. “It is very unusual that in a high profile Premier League fixture we come up against this problem.” Newcastle players have been given bans three times this season – Barton, Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson - when the FA managed to track down the footage.
