Guthrie escapes increased FA ban

Guthrie has said the challenge was "completely out of character"

The Football Association says Newcastle midfielder Danny Guthrie will receive no further punishment for breaking the leg of Hull striker Craig Fagan.

Guthrie will now serve a three-match ban for being sent off in Saturday's Premier League match at St James' Park.

Fagan's left leg was fractured by Guthrie's wild kick in stoppage time during the Magpies' 2-1 home defeat.

However, the FA revealed it could only take further action if it levelled a fresh charge against the player.

A spokesman said: "Every sending-off carries an automatic sanction under the current regulations.

"The FA doesn't have the power to extend automatic suspensions.

"The only circumstances in which we could take any further action would be to issue an additional charge against a player.

"This occurs only in exceptional cases, such as Ben Thatcher's challenge on Pedro Mendes in 2006."

606: DEBATE It was a disgusting tackle and a straight red offence spike0833

Thatcher, then at Manchester City, was handed an eight-match FA ban with another 15 games suspended for two years in 2006 after a challenge which left Portsmouth's Mendes concussed and requiring neurological tests.

However, the FA spokesman also confirmed that an ongoing review of their disciplinary procedures could see a sliding scale introduced to increase punishments for serious offences.

He said: "We are currently reviewing disciplinary procedures with a view to potential changes for next season and a sliding scale for red-card offences is one of the options under consideration."

Fagan was running down the clock as Hull closed out victory when Guthrie, 21, ran several yards to scythe him down by the touchline.

Hull manager Phil Brown urged the FA to take further action against the former Liverpool player, claiming an automatic three-match ban was "insufficient punishment".

Professional Footballers' Association chief Gordon Taylor added that Guthrie's actions were "not acceptable".

Guthrie has since apologised, insisting he is not a dirty player, but Fagan faces at least six weeks on the sidelines.

Guthrie will miss the Premier League clashes with West Ham and Blackburn, plus Tottenham's Carling Cup visit to St James' Park.