FIFA will not take any action against Peter Crouch despite accusations from Trinidad and Tobago defender Brent Sancho yesterday that the Liverpool striker pulled his dreadlocks as he jumped to head the opening goal in England's 2-0 win in Nuremberg.
Television replays clearly show Crouch tugging on Sancho's hair to haul himself above the Gillingham player, before steering David Beckham's 83rd minute cross past goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.But FIFA say they can only punish players retrospectively using video evidence if it is a serious offence committed out of the referee's view. In this instance, they say, Japanese referee Toru Kamikawa ruled there was no foul and allowed the goal to stand.
That led to claims from Sancho that Kamikawa was influenced by England's reputation and status as one of the most powerful countries in the World Cup.
Sancho said: "The first goal was definitely a foul by Crouch. He was all over me. He was definitely pulling me back and that meant I couldn't get to him.
"Don't forget, we are tiny Trinidad and Tobago and there is no way that the referee was going to blow that whistle and disallow the goal.
"The second goal, from Steven Gerrard, came when they hit us on the break as we tried to get back - but the first one was the crucial one, so late in the game, and I was fouled. We are gutted, just gutted with the result. It was heart-wrenching to lose like that."
With one booking already to his name following England's opening game against Paraguay last Saturday, there were fears Crouch could be banned for Tuesday's clash with Sweden if given a second yellow card on video evidence.
Fifa spokesman Markus Siegler confirmed Crouch was in the clear. He said: "In this instance it was the opinion of the referee that the goal should stand and that Crouch did not commit a foul. We cannot comment on it in that situation."
