That anti-Chelsea conspiracy talk just got a little bit louder.
Here’s the FA’s reasoning for why Ashley Barnes will face no action for his foul on Nemanja Matic during Burnley’s 2-2 draw with the Blues at the weekend.
FA clarification on the incident involving Burnley’s Ashley Barnes and Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic to follow: 1/5
— The FA (@FA) February 23, 2015
In the vast majority of challenges for the ball, no retrospective action is taken as the incident has been seen by the match officials 2/5
— The FA (@FA) February 23, 2015
Retrospective action introduced as deterrent for ‘off the ball incidents’ [e.g. kicks, stamps etc.] committed out of sight of officials 3/5
— The FA (@FA) February 23, 2015
Whole game in agreement that, in vast majority of cases, match officials are best-placed to deal with incidents to avoid re-refereeing 4/5
— The FA (@FA) February 23, 2015
In line with this rationale, FA confirm no further action in relation to Ashley Barnes as incident was seen by the officials 5/5
— The FA (@FA) February 23, 2015
A reminder of the tackle in question…
Ashley Barnes faces no action from @FA for this. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/3Pm8cP3voN
— Sam (@samuelJayC) February 23, 2015
Here’s what seems like a rational, neutral reaction to the news.
No FA retrospective action against Ashley Barnes for his challenge on Matic. No surprise. Not a biased system, but certainly a flawed system
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) February 23, 2015
FA were never going to act against Ashley Barnes. Officials saw it. So it comes back to English refs being soft on potential leg-breakers.
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) February 23, 2015
And here’s how the Chelsea fans are reacting.
The campaign is very much real and strong. They will do anything and everything to see Chelsea ending trophyless.
— Marshad! (@BeardedMagician) February 23, 2015
And then they say we're paranoid for believing there's a Campaign against Chelsea.
— #JeSuisNemanja (@CescOffender) February 23, 2015
Campaign against Chelsea is real.
— ✌ (@rauhlson) February 23, 2015
I don't care if I'm embarrassing myself by saying this but it's 100% certain there's a campaign against Chelsea @ABand98
— Chris (@Chris_EH_JM_CFC) February 23, 2015
No ban for Barnes. FA are doing well to rubbish Mourinho's "absurd" accusation of there being a campaign against Chelsea. Absolute joke.
— Joe Townsend (@Joe_Townsend) February 23, 2015
Anyone who says there isn't a campaign against Chelsea now needs to open their eyes. You can't have all these decisions go against you 1/3
— Matt Coleman PT (@MattColeman93) February 23, 2015
its official . there is infact a campaign against chelsea
— Juan Bendrado (@TheBenaldinho) February 23, 2015
The @FA are an absolute joke… If that had been a chelsea player made that tackle he'd be facing a 10 game ban… #Campaign
— Barry kane (@Bazk12) February 23, 2015
Now its understandable why Jose Mourinho says its a campaign against Chelsea. Thats the evidence that it is.
— Rolando (@RicharnVP) February 23, 2015
This is clearly a campaign against Chelsea. @FA always anti-Chelsea!!!
— OLOWONIGBA Juwon (@olowonigbajk) February 23, 2015
If you can't beat us…cheat us!!!
#Campaignagainstchelsea
#Justiceformatic
— Suvrâ’¶t Blue⤠Kothari (@Suvrat65CFC09) February 23, 2015
Yes, you read that last one right – there is a #justiceformatic hashtag. Chelsea have launched an appeal against Matic’s red card after he pushed Barnes in retaliation.
As strongly as so many Chelsea fans believe there’s a campaign against there team, so many fans of other clubs think they’re being ridiculous.
Chelsea fans actually think there's a campaign against them I thought they were joking, oh dear.
— Mootaz (@Mootaz_LFC) February 23, 2015
It's very telling that the only people who genuinely think there's a campaign against Chelsea are Chelsea fans.
— James (@Gunnerblogger97) February 23, 2015
Chelsea fans are unbelieveble
— Ratbag The Coward (@Dev14__) February 23, 2015
Same Chelsea fans who thought Costa didn't deserve a ban for a stamp are now crying over no ban for Barnes.
— -Man'Utd- (@_imran_mufc_) February 23, 2015
How are Chelsea fans taking the rules of the game like a personal attack? Deluded bunch.
— AFC Dan (@ArsenalFCDan) February 23, 2015
Mad how angry Chelsea fans are about Ashley Barnes not being suspended. It really doesn't affect them at all from this point. It's Burnley.
— The VfG (@ViewFromGwladys) February 23, 2015
People moaning to the FA even though they gave a perfectly valid, logical explanation Get over yourselves Chelsea fans
— Conor (@C0n0rMacG) February 23, 2015
And here’s what you might call the middle ground.
I'm not one to side with Chelsea, but it seems to me that Barnes tackle was a leg breaker. Should be a red/ban IMO.
— GoonerGordo (@GoonerGordo) February 23, 2015
I don't believe in a campaign against Chelsea.
But now I believe that the FA is just horrible.
— Muayyad K. (@Muayyad_K) February 23, 2015
The "campaign" stuff is nonsense but Mourinho is bang on about potential risk to Matic. Chelsea are lucky he's only out for three games
— Liam Twomey (@liam_twomey) February 23, 2015
I dislike Chelsea a lot but I think Barnes should have received a ban for his actions. He did a very dangerous tackle but gets away with it.
— RA (@RelatedArsenal) February 23, 2015
Im loathe to defend chelsea but if Atkinson has seen that Barnes tackle and there's no action taken then he should never ref again #FA #Joke
— Lee Husson (@LeeHusson) February 23, 2015
Source: SNAPPA