LONDON (AP) The English Football Association plans to strengthen the rules allowing it take retrospective action against players after Chelsea striker Fernando Torres escaped punishment for scratching an opponent.
The FA altered its laws before the new season to make it easier to take retrospective action using video evidence, but was unable to charge Torres for scratching Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen's face in a Premier League match last month because part of the incident was seen by a match official.
Torres was booked for the clash, but the scratch was not fully seen.
FA chairman Greg Dyke says the fact no action was taken was "understandably baffling to everyone and has to be addressed."
Dyke was unhappy that the FA's disciplinary department was in a position where "they don't feel they have the authority to take action for what was an obvious scratch to the face."
