Steven Gerrard unlikely to be punished for V-sign at referee

Steven Gerrard is unlikely to face censure from the Football Association for allegedly flicking a V-sign at the referee Andre Marriner during Liverpool's costly defeat at Wigan Athletic last night. Footage of Gerrard's reaction to his 82nd minute booking at the DW Stadium appears to show the Liverpool captain gesturing towards the match official and mouthing an obscenity. Marriner, however, is believed to have witnessed the incident at the time and deemed it unworthy of further punishment. Unless the FA are informed the referee has reconsidered his initial verdict, no charges are expected to be brought against Gerrard, who captained England against Egypt last week in the wake of the John Terry controversy. The FA is likely to let the matter drop with Liverpool officials, who spoke to the midfielder after the game, adamant Gerrard's gesture was not offensive or intended for the referee.