
Boateng was at the centre of the scuffle
Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng has had his red card
against Tottenham rescinded by the Football Association following
an appeal.
Boateng was sent off along with Spurs' Didier Zokora after the two
were involved in a scuffle which sparked a mass fracas in Boro's
2-1 defeat.
Boateng, who had already been dismissed this season, faced a
four-match ban before the decision was overturned.
Both clubs still face a charge of failing to control their
players.
Boateng's part in the melee saw him was confronted by Zokora
following a challenge on Aaron Lennon.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate felt his player had been unfairly
punished in being given his marching orders by referee Mark
Halsey.
"There's a challenge between George and one of their players and
then George sort of gets bundled over," said Southgate.
"He stands up and there's a few players who run towards him.
"I don't think he was doing anything other than stopping people
running towards him."
Spurs boss Martin Jol said after the game that they would challenge
the decision which saw Zakora sent off.
But after reviewing the incident he said: "At first I thought
Zokora was unlucky to be sent off because he tried to prevent any
trouble breaking out.
"I've seen it again now and I felt he probably deserved the sending
off because if you are so far away from a situation and run in it
does look aggressive.
"You then get a crowd of players coming together and you don't want
that."
Zokora is now set to miss Spurs' next three games, including the
Carling Cup quarter-final against Southend.