Two separate news bodies have given conflicting views on whether Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan will face further action from the Football Association for his elbow on Barnsley striker Iain Hume which fractured his skull.
The Sheffield Star reported earlier today that the FA would NOT be punishing Morgan any further after referee Andy D'Urso showed the defender a yellow card at the time.
The Star reports:
The Football Association plan to take no further action against Chris Morgan following the incident during last weekend's South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell which left Barnsley striker Iain Hume nursing a fractured skull, The Star can confirm.
Officials at Soho Square are understood to have arrived at their decision after consulting senior figures within the game, including former referees, about whether there was a need to invoke special powers against the Sheffield United captain.
Morgan, who was cautioned by referee Andy D'Urso, has been the subject of intense media speculation since it was revealed that Hume was taken to hospital after a match which United won 2-1 with Barnsley manager Simon Davey particularly outspoken in his criticism of the United centre-half.
It has been suggested in some quarters that a clash between Ben Thatcher and Pedro Mendes in August 2006, which saw the former Manchester City full-back receive an eight match ban, had set a precedent for the FA to act.
But a spokesman for the governing body told this newspaper: "As people will be aware there are only very limited and exceptional circumstances where we can intervene, particularly after a caution has already been issued.
"But we have canvassed a wide variety of expert opinion on this incident and while, it is fair to say, most felt that it was a red card offence, the challenge itself could not be described as exceptional.
"In the case of Mendes and Thatcher, that clearly was exceptional which is why we took certain steps."
The spokesman added: "We have to be dispassionate and cannot be swayed or influenced, however harsh it that might sound, by the injury a player suffers.
"Otherwise we would find ourselves in a situation where a horrendous tackle is made, the other player walks away from it unscathed and then we could do nothing."
That though may not be the case as BBC Radio Sheffield that may not be the case and the FA are in fact awaiting further reports from Barnsley Football Club about the incident before deciding whether to take further action.
The BBC reports:
The Football Association has confirmed it may still take action over Sheffield United captain Chris Morgan's challenge on Barnsley striker Iain Hume.
An FA spokesman told BBC Radio Sheffield it is expecting to receive more evidence from Barnsley.
"We've been told by Barnsley that we will receive further evidence and that will be reviewed, before making any final decision on this case," he said.