Ben Haim cleared after Rooney row

Man Utd 2-0 Bolton

Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim has been cleared of a Football Association charge following an incident with Wayne Rooney on Boxing Day.

The Israeli fell to the pitch after Rooney had shoved him in the face.

Rooney was banned for three matches after admitting to violent conduct, while Ben Haim, 22, was charged with improper conduct for his reaction.

Manager Sam Allardyce said: "I am very pleased with this decision. We were always confident."

Ben Haim is now clear to face Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday.

The FA's website, www.thefa.com, said: "At a disciplinary commission hearing, the charge of improper conduct against Bolton Wanderers defender Tal Ben Haim was found to be not proven."

Allardyce insisted after the 2-0 defeat: "Ben Haim has not done anything wrong and he has not broken any rules.

"The rules say that you can't put your hands up in somebody's face, no matter how small or how big."

Sir Alex Ferguson had claimed the FA's disciplinary procedures were "flawed and immoral".

"The violent conduct charge bemuses me, because every man and his dog would agree it was not violent conduct. If it is violent conduct why are they charging Ben Haim? I can't understand it," said the Scot.

"If it is violent conduct Ben Haim should not be charged.

"He is being charged, so they therefore believe that he is guilty of diving and bringing the game into disrepute."