Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has denied reports of a tunnel bust-up with Man Utd ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Magpies defender denies tunnel clash
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor has denied reports of a tunnel bust-up with Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo.
There was widespread coverage in Thursday's press of an alleged clash between the duo as they left the St James' Park pitch at half-time of Wednesday night's Premier League encounter.
Magpies defender Taylor was shown a yellow card in the 45th minute after catching Ronaldo with his arm as they contested possession on the touchline, with the Portgual international left writhing on the turf.
Red Devils skipper Rio Ferdinand was incensed by the incident and was cautioned by referee Steve Bennett for his vehement protests.
Shook hands
Taylor has rejected reports that the row with Ronaldo continued in the tunnel and insists he made his peace with the Fifa World Player of the Year at the final whistle.
Taylor told the
Evening Chronicle: "There was no bust-up with Ronaldo.
"I shook hands with him at the end of the game."
United won the clash 2-1 with goals from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov after Peter Lovenkrands had given the hosts a shock lead.
The Football Association has decided not to investigate further the claims of a tunnel row.
No action
In addition, the FA will take no further action against Taylor after he was booked in the game with United.
Taylor appeared to foul Cristiano Ronaldo in the first-half before following up with another firm challenge on Michael Carrick.
Referee Steve Bennett showed a yellow card to Taylor confirmed to the FA on Thursday morning that this was for the second tackle.
The Kent official has reviewed the incident again and told Soho Square chiefs he would have booked Taylor for the foul on Ronaldo, which would have therefore amounted to a red card.
However, under Fifa regulations, the FA is powerless to change punishments that would involve two yellow cards rather than a single red.
