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ESPN staff 7y

Marcos Rojo escapes punishment for alleged stamp, Man United charged

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo will not be punished for an alleged stamp on Chelsea's Eden Hazard, though United have been charged by the FA with failing to control their players.

Rojo appeared to make contact with Hazard, who had fallen to the ground, after losing his balance in Monday's FA Cup clash as Chelsea advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 win.

The referee's report confirmed Michael Oliver and his officials saw the incident, meaning the case cannot go to a review panel and the Argentina international will avoid a potential three-match ban for violent conduct.

But United will face a fine for their reaction to Ander Herrera's sending off, also for a foul on Hazard. The midfielder earlier received a two-game ban after his dismissal.

An FA statement read: "Manchester United have been charged for failing to control its players.

"It follows an incident in the 35th minute of The FA Cup quarter final match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday [Monday 13 March 2017].

"The club have until 6pm on Friday 17 March 2017 to respond to the charge."

Both Chelsea boss Antontio Conte and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois have criticised United for setting out to be physical with Hazard on Monday.

Conte clashed with counterpart Jose Mourinho on the touchline about the visitors' approach and claimed afterwards that United fouls had made it "impossible" for Hazard to play football in the opening 25 minutes.

Courtois claimed Mourinho instructed his players to unsettle Chelsea with "fouling and kicking" and "mind games."

United are already without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Premier League matches against Middlesbrough and West Brom, though both Herrera and Ibrahimovic are both likely to start in Thursday's Europa League last-16 clash with Rostov, with the score at 1-1 following the first leg in Russia.

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