Gerrard to escape FA charges over ref V-sign

Steven Gerrard will escape FA charges following allegations he aimed a V-sign at the referee during Monday's defeat by Wigan.

TV evidence suggested the Liverpool skipper made a two-fingered salute at match official Andre Marriner after being booked.

But sources within the Football Association insisted last night it was "extremely unlikely" any action would be taken over the matter, because of the lack of substantial evidence.

Gerrard won't even face an enquiry into the incident, because Marriner was only a foot away a foot away, with Gerrard directly in front of him, when the gesture was made.

The England midfielder also seemed to swear at the time of the booking, again shown by TV, but the referee has indicated that he saw "nothing untoward" in the incident, and that will mean the FA are will swiftly drop the matter.

Liverpool officials have already insisted Gerrard's gesture was not intended for the referee, with the player himself arguing passionately that he did not aim any insult at the official.

Instead, it seems he was frustrated with himself and his team, and that frustration boiled over as he tried to argue that he had committed only two fouls.

The FA are aware how misleading images can be, and they will quietly drop the matter.

But Liverpool ARE likely to be hauled in front of a disciplinary committee, after collecting five bookings for the second time in three matches.

Gerrard's frustrations were directed at the latest failings of his team, with Liverpool slipping to their ninth league defeat of a demoralising season.

It leaves them once again in turmoil as they face the very real prospect of not even being involved in the shake up for fourth place at the end of the season.