Red reprieve for Liverpool's Diouf
LONDON, England (Reuters) -- Liverpool's El Hadji Diouf will escape a ban following his sending off at Chelsea on Wednesday after the referee admitted he had been wrong to red card the Senegal international.
The English Football Association reduced Diouf's red card to a caution after referee Steve Dunn said he had been incorrect to show a second yellow card to Diouf after 87 minutes of Liverpool's 1-0 win.
"The player will not have to serve any suspension," the FA said on its Web site.
Diouf angrily protested against his dismissal which followed a tangle with Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu. Dunn issued the second yellow card after taking the advice of his linesman.
"Having viewed the incident relating to the second caution on video, Mr Dunn has advised the FA that he was incorrect to send the player from the field of play," the FA said.
Lehmann and Phillips charged
The FA charged Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann and Southampton striker Kevin Phillips with improper conduct over their behavior during a match in December.
Lehmann threw the ball at Phillips after Arsenal's 1-0 win at Southampton on December 29 and claimed later that Phillips had pushed him and stood on his foot earlier in the game.
"The FA has charged Arsenal's Jens Lehmann with improper conduct in relation to an incident involving Southampton's Kevin Phillips at the end of the match," the FA said in a statement.
"Phillips has also been charged with improper conduct for a separate incident involving Lehmann earlier in the match."
Both players have until January 23 to respond to the charge.
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