Van Persie to avoid FA charge

Manchester United forward Robin van Persie will not face retrospective action from the Football Association over an apparent elbow to the face of Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye in Sunday's Barclays Premier League match at the Sports Direct Arena.

Press Association Sport understands that match referee Howard Webb did not see the incident during the game, but on reviewing television evidence he did not deem it worthy of a sending-off offence, so no further action will be taken.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said after the game that he felt the incident warranted further investigation, saying: "He has looked at Yohan and he has elbowed him, and I think that perhaps needs to be looked at, if I am honest."

Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.