LUKAKU LET-OFF
No FA ban for striker over kick at Bong
ROMELU LUKAKU can play for Manchester United at Watford tonight after escaping FA punishment for kicking Brighton defender Gaetan Bong in the groin.
Lukaku was caught on camera catching Bong with his studs at the second attempt as they wrestled at a corner moments before United scored the winner at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Referee Neil Swarbrick’s report yesterday confirmed that he had not seen the incident, enabling the FA to refer the case to a three-man panel of former match officials – usually Alan Wiley, Steve Dunn and Eddie Wolstenholme.
For Lukaku to be charged with violent conduct, which carries a three-match ban, all three had to say it was a red-card offence.
However, their verdict was not unanimous. At least one said Lukaku’s action was petulant rather than violent, and more deserving of a yellow card.
The £75million striker was surely helped by the fact that Bong did not make more of the incident as the home team celebrated Ashley Young’s deflected shot looping into the net.
Lukaku was in danger of missing tonight’s game against Watford, Saturday’s trip to Arsenal and the Manchester derby on December 10, but can now play in all three.
The decision has caused surprise because the Belgium striker was widely expected to be charged. There seemed to be clear intent and he made definite contact.
It is the second time in six weeks that Lukaku, 24, has escaped action. He was accused of kicking Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren in the face during last month’s 0-0 draw.
On that occasion, the FA did not even refer it to the three-man panel because they were satisfied it was not violent conduct. Some would argue that the Bong incident certainly was.
Manchester City will be more interested than most after Lukaku was cleared to play in the derby.
City striker Sergio Aguero missed last season’s corresponding fixture — United’s only home defeat in 40 games — after he was punished retrospectively for elbowing West Ham’s Winston Reid.
United manager Jose Mourinho now faces a decision over whether to play Lukaku with his top scorer on a run of one goal in 10 games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, back from a serious knee injury, gives Mourinho an excellent alternative, with the Swedish striker having made three appearances off the bench.
United lost 3-1 at Watford in September 2016, and the Hornets now sit in eighth place under Marco Silva.
‘It’s going to be a tough game,’ said Young, who spent 11 years at Watford. ‘He is proving a good manager. He has got them scoring goals and winning games but we still want all three points.’ ARSENAL’S Mesut Ozil is set to miss tomorrow’s clash against Huddersfield but should be fit for Saturday’s showdown against Manchester United. Ozil missed Sunday’s win over Burnley through illness.