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Cape Town - The Football Association has closed the book on their case against Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho for directing abusive language towards the TV camera.
Mourinho had been charged "for allegedly using language which was abusive and/or insulting and/or improper" as he headed for the tunnel after United's dramatic 3-2 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford on October 6.
An Independent Regulatory Commission ruled in favour of the 55-year-old, but the FA appealed the decision last month in the hope of taking action against him.
However, a separate Independent Regulatory Commission also dismissed the charge against Mourinho on December 6, which has now been accepted by English football's governing body.
Written reasons published on Monday read: "The FA was successful in respect of the appeal. However, due to a legal argument raised on Mr Mourinho's behalf, which had not been determined by the original Regulatory Commission, the case was remitted to another panel to rule on the legal argument.
"On 6 December 2018, a separate Independent Regulatory Commission considered the legal argument raised on Mr Mourinho's behalf, and dismissed the charge against him.
"The charge was dismissed on the grounds that Mr Mourinho had a 'legitimate expectation', based on previous FA practice, that he would not be charged for swearing in the circumstances in which he did."
A statement from the FA said: "The FA welcomes the original decision of the Appeal Board to uphold its appeal against Mr Mourinho for using abusive, insulting and improper language after the Manchester United v Newcastle United match on 6 October 2018.
"It also respects the decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission to dismiss the charge based on the legal argument submitted by Mr Mourinho.
"The FA's position, which it maintained throughout the hearing, was that Mr Mourinho directed his abusive, insulting and improper words directly towards the camera lens, and in these circumstances, the decision to charge was consistent with previous FA charging practice.
"Whilst we accept that the Independent Regulatory Commission disagreed on this occasion, The FA wishes to make clear that it will continue to take action against Participants for any form of abusive, insulting, or improper language or behaviour, which is directed towards a camera.
"Finally, following the Appeal Board decision, and the most recent decision of the Independent Regulatory Commission, The FA now considers this matter to be closed."
