York City chairman Douglas Craig has 'lost' a complaint made to the FA that Oldham Athletic manager Neil Warnock incited the crowd at Bootham Crescent.
The charge was levelled about the Latics' manager's behaviour at an explosive end to the Second Division clash against City at Bootham Crescent on January 10.
Warnock, the former Scarborough manager, was summoned to an FA disciplinary committee hearing at a hotel in London to answer the charge of alleged foul and abusive language. But the FA panel, which heard evidence from Craig and Warnock and their respective witnesses, decided the case was 'not proven'.
The complaint was made by Craig on behalf of York City, confirmed club secretary Keith Usher, who added there had been complaints from fans about Warnock's conduct during and after the match.
The hearing stemmed from the final fractious minutes to the Division Two clash that ended deadlocked at 0-0 nine weeks ago.
A stoppage-time 'goal' from Oldham substitute Sean McCarthy was disallowed by assistant referee Russ Tiffin, who earlier in the match had stepped up from the line to replace calf strain victim and match referee Roger Furnandiz.
The Oldham bench erupted angrily, Warnock twice rushing from the dug-out's painted area towards the pitch. At the final whistle Warnock went on to the Bootham Crescent pitch dragging angry players away from match officials. As he came off to a crescendo of boos from City fans in the main stand he grinned and gestured by imitating the playing of a violin.
This behaviour, it was claimed by City, incited the crowd.
Among the witnesses for Warnock was referee Furnandiz, who, immediately after the match said the incidents would not be reported to the FA. Said the Doncaster-based official then: "As far as we understand the situation was calmed down by the police."
Craig was unavailable for comment.
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