Redknapp avoids UEFA charge after 'gesture to Rovers fans'
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp will not face any disciplinary action over his gesture towards Shamrock Rovers fans during last night's Europa League match in Dublin, UEFA have confirmed.
Redknapp had been barracked almost constantly throughout the match by a section of the home fans and seemed to react angrily midway through the second half with the apparent clenched-fist gesture towards the Rovers supporters.
UEFA this morning said they were waiting to see if the incident was mentioned in two reports - from the referee and UEFA delegate - before deciding whether Redknapp would face any charge of improper conduct.
And, after receiving the reports, a UEFA spokesperson said this afternoon: "We can inform you that nothing was mentioned in the official reports about this and UEFA has not opened any disciplinary proceedings at this match."
The Spurs boss, who saw his team exit the competition despite a 4-0 win at Tallaght Stadium, played down the incident last night, saying in his post-match press conference: "Did I make an 'obscene' gesture? No, I didn't make... No.''
Redknapp reiterated earlier today that he had done nothing wrong.
"I can't repeat what they were saying. I am not allowed to repeat what they were saying to me. I didn't do anything to them, no," he said at this morning's press conference ahead of this weekend's Premier League match against Sunderland.
During last night's post-match press conference, Redknapp said he held no ill-feeling towards the fans who had verbally abused him during the Group A clash.
"I have spent enough time in Ireland to know what lovely people they are,'' he said.
"If you go and meet them afterwards they are probably lovely people. But they get together and shout a load of nonsense and that is football. That's life. I don't hold any grudges."
TV cameras failed to pick up on the gesture.
Earlier this week Redknapp found himself in trouble with the Football Association for comments he made about referee Chris Foy following the club's defeat at Stoke.
Redknapp said Foy looked like he was "quite enjoying not giving us anything'' at the Britannia Stadium, but only received a written warning from the FA for his outburst.
Last night's gesture overshadowed a good performance from the Londoners, who strolled to victory against the Irish part-timers thanks to goals from Steven Pienaar, Andros Townsend, Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane.
The comprehensive win was not enough to ensure Redknapp's men progressed to the last 32, however, as Rubin Kazan's draw at PAOK Salonika meant Spurs finished third in the pool - one point behind the Russians.
