Romelu Lukaku has escaped a three-match ban for an alleged off-the-ball kick at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Gaëtan Bong after a Football Association panel of three former referees did not reach a unanimous decision that it was a red-card offence.
The incident occurred in the 1-0 win at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Television pictures appeared to show Lukaku kicking Bong at the 66th-minute corner from which Ashley Young’s deflected shot gave United victory.
The FA was informed that the referee, Neil Swarbrick, and his assistants were not aware of it, causing the case to be referred to the panel.
Each of the former referees reviewed the footage independently.
Lukaku would have seen missed league games against Watford, Arsenal and Manchester City.
The Belgium international, 24, moved to United in the summer from Everton and scored 10 goals in his first nine outings for the Old Trafford club.
However, Lukaku has scored just once in his last 10 games for the club.
