Chelsea striker Fernando Torres escapes punishment from FA after scratching opponent

LONDON – Chelsea striker Fernando Torres will not face retrospective disciplinary action for scratching the face of Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen.

The FA said it cannot take action against the Spanish international over the incident because “one of the match officials saw the coming together of the two players, albeit not in its entirety.”

Television images showed Torres scratching the defender on the face in the 50th minute of Saturday’s 1-1 draw, but the Chelsea player will only serve a one-match ban after being sent off for two yellow cards.

Under FA rules, no retrospective action can be taken if any match official saw part of an incident when it occurred.

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