Liverpool fans fume as Fernando Torres escapes punishment from “laughing stock” FA

Liverpool fans have been left fuming today after it was revealed that Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will no face retrospective action over scratching Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen’s face.

The incident has drawn comparisons with Luis Suarez’s bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match at Anfield in April.

Suarez received a 10-match ban for the incident, a suspension he has only just completed serving.

The Liverpool Echo report today:

Considering the fact that Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was banned for 10 games back in April, when referee Kevin Friend failed to spot his bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, the FA stands accused of double standards.

The FA’s stance on the matter is that because a match official witnessed and reported part of the incident, not further action can be taken. Is it not about time you changed that rule, FA?

Former Football Association referee Mark Halsey was quick to criticise the FA’s lack of action over Torres.

“There is simply no consistency in all this and failing to act in this instance has reduced the FA to a laughing stock,” Halsey said.

“If that incident had happened in any other league in Europe, there is no way Torres would have escaped a violent conduct charge.

“Jose Mourinho must be laughing his head off on the quiet. He must have expected to be without Torres for four matches. He won’t believe his luck.”

Meanwhile former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel told the BBC‘s Match of the Day 2 on Sunday night, “If Suarez had done that people would have cried for another 10-game suspension.

“I see no difference in biting a player and scratching a player. You cannot raise your hands in modern day football.”

Liverpool fans have also compared Torres’ scratch to Suarez’s bite and had some similar words of disbelief for the FA.