LONDON (AFP) - Manchester City striker Robbie Fowler has escaped disciplinary action by the Football Association (FA) following his gestures towards Manchester United supporters during last Sunday's derby game at Old Trafford.
Former Liverpool and England striker Fowler made a variety of hand signals to fans while he was warming up during the goalless draw.
City manager Kevin Keegan said he did not witness the incident although club physio Les Chapman did make his way out of the dug-out to tell Fowler to end his "dialogue".
"There will be no disciplinary action against Manchester City's Robbie Fowler for an alleged incident during the match at Old Trafford on Sunday," an FA statement said.
"Fowler was reported to have made obscene gestures to Manchester United supporters.
"However, the alleged incident was not mentioned in the referee's report, nor caught on video.
"Furthermore, the FA's enquiries with Manchester United and Greater Manchester Police did not provide any independent evidence."
Keegan said after the game that Fowler suffers massive abuse from United fans "because he played for the three teams they hate - Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester City".
Fowler, 29, has twice been in trouble before with the FA because of unusual on-field conduct.
He was banned for six matches in 1999 after taunting then Chelsea defender Graeme le Saux, while only a week later he was in trouble for his infamous 'cocaine-snorting' celebrations after he had scored against Everton.
11/09/2004 - 18:19 GMT - AFP