The Football Association are unable to take any further action against Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe over his alleged `bite' on West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano because of FIFA directives on retrospective punishment.
Defoe was booked by referee Steve Bennett when he reacted angrily to a challenge from behind from the Argentinian midfielder during Tottenham's 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
TV replays showed Defoe attempting to `bite' Mascherano on the arm but the Spurs player claimed that his reaction, labelled a `comical nibble' by coach Martin Jol, had been blown up out of all proportion.
Defoe has come in for widespread criticism for his reaction to Mascherano's tackle but the FA are prevented from charging Defoe with any further offence because of the ruling by FIFA.
An FA spokesman said: 'We are unable to take any action because the referee has already dealt with the incident. Under FIFA regulations, we are prevented from taking retrospective action.'
Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher was punished by the FA after the event earlier this season when his forearm smash left Portsmouth midfielder Pedro Mendes in hospital.
However, that incident was deemed as exceptional because Mendes suffered serious injury but in most cases, the FA's hands are tied because of FIFA's stance on the issue of retrospective punishment.
Defoe's agent Sky Andrew said his client now wants everybody to get back to concentrating on football and denied again that he had bitten the West Ham star.
Andrew said: 'Jermain says he did not bite anyone. He's very passionate boy about his football. It was a tough game and an intense environment but he says he did not bite him.
'Jermain regrets the way he did retaliate and accepts he should not have retaliated at all but it has been blown up out of all proportion.' he told Radio Five Live.
Defoe had earlier claimed that Bennett would have issued him with a red card if he thought he had been guilty of biting his opponent.
Defoe said: 'The referee was standing right over me and if he felt I had done anything bad he would have sent me off.
'The incident doesn't look great on TV and I accept that as a role model to kids I have a responsibility to conduct myself in the right way, which I always try to do on and off the pitch.'
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