Carragher escapes with a warning

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will be given a formal police warning for the coin-throwing incident that led to his dismissal in last Sunday's FA Cup tie at Highbury.

The 24-year-old defender hurled a coin back into the crowd, hitting one Arsenal fan and ricocheting into another, after it had been thrown at him.

The Metropolitan Police today confirmed Carragher will be issued with a formal warning and no further action will be taken.

A spokesman said: "All the facts of the case have been considered. The two people who allegedly received injuries have declined to make allegations and the only outstanding matter is the throwing of an object under the Football Offences Act.

"In light of all the circumstances it has been decided that a formal warning will be issued."

Formal, or verbal, warnings are different to police cautions in that they do not require an acceptance of responsibility by the culprit. Carragher, who also faces a club fine of up to two weeks' wages, which amounts to about £40,000, issued a public apology on Monday, admitting he "let down the club, the fans, team-mates and myself ".

The FA, having said it would await the conclusion of the police investigation, is considering what action to take.