Poyet: "I do not understand" FA disciplinary panel

Sunderland AFC Head Coach Gus Poyet Credit: ITV

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet has said he does "not understand" the Football Association's decision not to retrospectively punish Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure.

The Ivorian was caught on camera kicking out at Norwich striker Ricky Van Wolfswinkel during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Carrow Road. Referee John Moss didn't see the incident at the time, meaning the 30-year-old could have faced a three-match ban over the incident.

However, a disciplinary panel made up of three ex-professional referees decided that Toure should not be charged with violent conduct and the FA announced on Monday that no action would be taken against him.

The decision came on the same day that Cardiff forward Craig Bellamy was charged for violent conduct over a similar off-the-ball incident with Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman.

Sunderland travel to Manchester City in the Premier League tomorrow night. Speaking ahead of the game, Poyet said:

Poyet added that he thought the charge given to Bellamy "was harsh" considering Toure faced no action. He said: "If I was Bellamy I would be absolutely distraught this week because it was not taken in the same way".